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Features
11 The President’s
14-16 Cover Story – A Journey
Minoo Shroff, Global President, WZCC, talks about the year in retrospect and shares details about the Business Economic Meeting that took place on 4th and 5th January 2013, in Singapore
Architect extraordinaire, Dinyar Wadia has succeeded in revolutionising the highly competitive world of architecture. Today, he is the most influential person in his field in the US. Synergyz brings you a full length story on him.
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22-23 Padma Awards
Two eminent Zoroastrians made the community proud by winning the Padma Awards in 2013. They are: 1. Noted Industrialist, Adi Burjor Godrej who won the Padma Bhushan 2. Dr. Mahrukh Tarapor who won the Padma Shri.
43 GR8! Women’s Achiever Award More accolades for Gulshan Kavarana, who wins the prestigious Women’s Award this year in Dubai.
66-67 WZCC AGM
Synergyz brings you highlights of the high profile event that took place in Singapore this year.
68-69 WZCC Awards
WZCC awarded four top Entrepreneurial and Professional members from the community this year. The four eminent awardees were: • • • •
Ms. Homai Engineer as ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur’ Capt. Percy Master as ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur’ Mr. Bomi Bhote as ‘Outstanding Zarathushti Professional’ Dr. Zuleika Homavzir as ‘Outstanding Young Zoroastrian Professional’
76-77 Recipes
Some excellent recipes on ‘Flavors of India’. Try them.
of Excellence and Trust
18-19 Poweranis
India’s Poweranis have come a long way, says Bachi Karkaria and they are forging ahead in different fields. It’s a powerful feeling but how are they handling it?
20-21 Success Story
A success story on Farhad Irani, the quintessential banker, who has established for himself an enviable reputation in the financial sector.
26-28 Failure is an option, Fear is not
An entrepreneurial perspective by Dr. Durgadoss, an inspirational speaker and the writer of Business Fiction – ‘A Saint in the Boardroom’.
30-31 Five Critical Elements to Effective Change Fred Sarkari, an International Speaker and Author, discusses why people should embrace change and not consider it an obstacle to realizing their goals
32-33 Managing Age Differences in a work place Oksana Tashakova – Elite Executive Coach, Change, Organizational and Talent Development Expert, discusses different expectations of different generations of workers in the work place.
36-37 Farewell to a man of letters
A tribute to Ardeshir Cowasjee - the Entrepreneur, Writer, Public figure and a Philanthropist, who passed away on 24th November, 2012 in Karachi. December, 2013
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Contents
GLOBAL COLLAPSE OF BUSINESS CREDIBILITY
38-41
46-47
50-51
Part II – Short profiles of four eminent women from our community – Zia Mody, Pheroza Godrej, Deena Motiwalla and Homai Modi who have raised the bar to a new level and made things happen.
Is the entrepreneur’s spouse really valued? Find out more from Nozer Buchia, the internationally acclaimed Speaker and the Author of: ‘Why Entrepreneurs really fail and the Roadmap to success’.
Some valuable and thought provoking insights on doing business and creating a viable work ethos based on the personal experiences of Pheroze Kharas, MD, Ecoplast Ltd
Hall of Femme
The Silent Partner
The dynamics of doing busineSS
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Owning a home is a keystone of wealth – both financial affluence and emotional security - Behzad Kharas Chairman & Managing Director, THE BNK GROUP, talks about the Realty Sector in 2013 and throws light on new properties coming up in Mumbai and Pune.
The infinite wisdom of doing the right thing for the right reasons and the time tested virtues of life have disappeared, but there is still hope that things will change for the better, and come a full circle, says Adi Siganporia, Chairman, WZCCMumbai Chapter
Return to Roots aims to provide youth living in the diaspora an opportunity to experience Zoroastrian India through short tours led by community experts and scholars.
Comfortable homes at Budget Price
Global collapse of business credibility
Zoroastrian return to roots
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Maharajas Express
Bandana Jain narrates how one of India’s best luxury trains, offers a blend of five-star hospitality and high-tech modern amenities for those who wish to travel in Maharaja style.
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Umeed Kothavala, CEO, Extentia Information Technology says, it’s time for reverse migration to India and outlines the pros and cons for consideration by experienced and talented Indians with international exposure.
Priyest Kapadia, Partner and Head of Advisory Services in BDO’s UAE office outlines different ways of setting up of office presence in the UAE.
Home Bound
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The Role of Coaching
Looking for benefits of personal and professional coaching? Read more as Adil Sarkari, NSW Manager, Services Central, and President WZCC, Australia, lifts the shroud of mystery between Management and Coaching.
58-59
More than just a Degree of skill
To succeed in life today, one not only needs a proper education, but also new skill sets that are in tune with the times. Nowshir Engineer, MD, EMDI discusses whether a good education is a key to success or is there something more that is required to obtain success in any venture.
Setting up of Business in the UAE
Congratulations UAE on winning the honour of hosting World Expo 2020 in Dubai Vol. 12 | December, 2013
62-65
Parsi Pioneers and the heir apparent of Bollywood
As Indian Cinema completes 100 years, Piroj Wadia pays tribute to Parsi Heroes and Pioneers in the Bollywood industry.
WZCC Celebrating
Years December 2000 - December 2013
Coming Soon....
19th to 21st Dec. 2014
Be There!
72-73
Saree – the six yards of grace
Whether it’s the traditional or modern avatar, the saree never fails. Read more on how designer Asif Shaikh has revived the art of Kutchi embroidery using Ari (chain stitch) on a Karchob.
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Vol 12, December 2013 — For Private Circulation only
Registered Office: 5750 South Jackson St.. Hinsdal, IL 60521 - 5109 Website: http://www.wzcc.net President: Minoo. R. Shroff WZCC Journal Conceived and Developed by: Meher Bhesania, Chairman, SynergyZ Treasurer: Barjor Bajan, P. O. Box 34129, Dubai, UAE E-mail: bajansbb@yahoo.com
WZCC Board Members Minoo Shroff President Bomi Patel Vice President Temo Arjani Treasurer Behroze Daruwalla Corporate Secretary Adil Sarkari Regional Director (Australia) Jamshid Dindar Regional Director (Iran) Roomi Sarkari Regional Director (Middle East) Fariborz Rahnamoon Director Farrokh Rustomji Director Minoo Mody Director Shahram Jiveh Director Neville Shroff Director Pheroze P. Kharas Director Natalie Gandhi Director Nauzar Manekshaw Director Umeed Kothavala Youth Director Kersi Limathwalla Immediate Past2012 President SynergyZ 8 November
mrshroffadst@gmail.com bomip@yahoo.com temo@arjani.com behroze@frenaus.com adilsarkari@gmail.com dindar2000@yahoo.co.uk rsarkari@emirates.net.ae fariborzr@hotmail.com f.m.rustomji@gmail.com modymh@me.com shjiveh@yahoo.com nshroff@shroff.com.hk phili.kharas@gmail.com nvania@encouragementnewbiz.com wzcc@mieraconsulting.com umeed.kothavala@extentia.com klimath@gmail.com
Editorial Board: Burjor Patel, Former General Manager, Khaleej Times, Dubai Rita Mehta, Managing Director, Blitz Media & Communication, FZ-L.L.C, Dubai Kersy Bhesania, Managing Director, Climate Control L.L.C, Dubai Nowshir Engineer, Director, Event Management Development Institute, Dubai Dadi Motiwalla, CEO, mt2, Dubai Yazdi Tantra, Managing Director, On-lyne Computers, Mumbai
Afreed Mistry
afreed.mistry@gmail.com
Navroze Dhondy
navroze@creategies.com
Adi B. Siganporia Viraf Deboo Khodayar Attaie Roomi Sarkari
adisiganporia@gmail.com vbdeboo@gmail.com khodayarattaie@gmail.com
Nauzar Manekshaw
wzcc@mieraconsulting.com
Jehangir Darukhanavala Zarir Sethna Kamran Behroozi
jvdarukhanavala@aol.com zarirs@sbcglobal.net nvania@encouragementnewbiz.com kbehroozi@verizone.net
Jehangir Bharucha
jehanb@improcon.com
Picture credits: photos.com: 18, 54, 58, 70 & 71 Page 29: Sanjay Pradhan Pages 46, 48, 52, 56, 62 & 68: google.com
Journal designed by: www.foggeneration.com
In this Issue
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So much to look forward to...
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his is an exceptional issue and a great deal of thought has gone into it. In the divisive times that we live in, the need to weave a thread of unity and talk of positive achievements becomes a mandate. It feels truly gratifying that we have been able to connect with so many men and women who have literally touched the stars in their professions and today, stand as examples to the new generation for their sterling attributes and their commitment to their work ethic.
Meher Bhesania Chairman, SynergyZ
I also need to share some good news that a mega event titled ‘Enterprise Dubai’, is scheduled to take place in Dubai from19th to 21st December 2014. This event will bring under one roof some of the most respected names in the world...”
It is never easy to select the contents when so many of them jostle for space, but we have tried to do justice to the subjects, ranging from a heartwarming piece on retracing one’s footsteps to the mother country, underscoring the efforts of women who have broken through the glass ceiling and covered an article on setting up a new business in the UAE. On the lighter side, we trace the origins of the incredible six yards of material called a saree, discuss the role of Parsis in cinema as Indian Cinema completes 100 years, and place the spotlight on the role of ‘The Silent partner’… the entrepreneur’s spouse who holds it all together and enables the partner to reach for the sky. There are several other stories in our 12th issue which we are confident will rivet you. Now, I need to say something special. I congratulate Dr. Cyrus Poonawala, Chairman WZC, Mr. Nadir Godrej, Vice Chairman, WZC, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and the Organizing Team for hosting the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress in Mumbai this year, WZCC for completing 13 years and SynergyZ for completing 9 years. Each of these milestones is a testament to our sense of commitment in playing a positive role in the community affairs. I also need to share some good news that a mega event titled ‘Enterprise Dubai’, is scheduled to take place in Dubai from 19th to 21st December 2014. This event will bring under one roof some of the most respected names in the world in the fields of technology, business, the arts and sciences, trade and telecommunications. So block your dates from now and attend the event! In the interim, on behalf of SynergyZ Team, I wish you all good health, all the success in your adventures and unreserved love for our Zoroastrian family.
ENTERPRISE DUBAI - 2014 Block your diaries 19th to 21st December, 2014
Be there! December, 2013
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WZCC Re-engergizing the spirit of Entrepreneurship worldwide through multiple Chapters
Offers networking
Offers free copy of
facility to members in
Synergyz, a prestigious Business journal, to
every industry
members worldwide
Offers the
Links supply and demand of major
state-of-the-art
Business Institutions and
website: www.wzcc.net
Employment
and Zchamber Group
oppurtunities
Membership
Offers fecility to members to participate in WZCC Meetings and Seminars worldwide
WZCC Benefits & Advantages
Offers Zoroastrian Businessmen Professionals, Youth an opportunity to win the prestigious WZCC Awards
WZCC Global Network:
Ahmedabad | Atlanta | Boston | Central Florida | Chicago | China | Delhi | Dubai | Hong Kong | Hyderabad | Houston | Karachi | London | Mumbai | New York North Texas Perth | Pune | San Francisco | Seattle | Singapore | Southern California | Sydney | Tehran | Toronto | Vancouver
Contact Details
Regd. Office: 5750 South Jackson St. Hinsdal, IL 60521 - 5109, USA | Tel: +1 630 3255383 Website: www.wzcc.net |
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wzcc.net
India Chamber Office: #8, R. N. Gamadia Polyclinic, Gamadia Colony Road, Tardeo, Mumbai-400 007, INDIA. Telephone: +91-22-3296 8175, +91-22-2353 2522 | Email: wzccindia@on-lyne.com
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President’s Message
T
he year 2012 was a tumultuous one. Most economies, both developed and emerging, suffered downturn. India was no exception though it fared better than many others. However, in India several companies with farsighted vision, sound financials and good corporate governance managed to steam along at a good pace with confidence in the future. Though new investments were on the whole tardy many companies are quite upbeat about the future and are forging ahead with fresh capital outlays as also new recruitments. This reinforces the fact that sound long term planning, healthy balance sheet and good professional management ultimately thrives.
Minoo Shroff, WZCC, President
It was refreshing to listen to so many outstanding businessmen and professionals who presented a global perspective of how challenging it was to operate in a totally free economic environment uncluttered by bureaucratic red tape.”
The year in retrospect was an exciting one for WZCC. The Board’s decision to hold the AGM in Singapore turned out to be propitious. Holding AGM in a country with hardly 250 Zoroastrians was a challenging task. Though the attendance was modest, as was only to be expected, it was very gratifying to find participation from a highly involved diaspora spread across the globe including many from the USA. The sessions were very well conducted, the presentations excellent and the interaction from the audience stimulating. It was refreshing to listen to so many outstanding businessmen and professionals who presented a global perspective of how challenging it was to operate in a totally free economic environment uncluttered by bureaucratic red tape. The Business Economic Forum, conceived by our two stalwarts Rohinton Rivetna and Rustom Engineer, was launched by Neville Shroff a business tycoon from Hong Kong and Chairman of Asia Africa and European Committees of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. He very astutely guided the deliberations. The other Panel Members made crisp and lucid presentations. This was indeed a happy augury for the future. The finale was equally pleasing. Three Awards were presented to outstanding achievers: Ms. Homai Engineer - Outstanding Entrepreneur – Having been a pioneer in the private sector in India in the field of Steam Boilers and Turbines. Capt. Percy Master – Outstanding Entrepreneur – Displaying rare entrepreneurial qualities in diversified fields and a leading player in the Maritime & Logistics Sector. Mr. Bomi Bhote – Outstanding Zarathushti Professional – For exceptional commitment towards providing Innovative Medical solutions. Dr. Zuleika Homavzir – Outstanding Young Zoroastrian – For achieving excellence in Higher Education and Social Initiatives.
An Award function was also organized in Mumbai later to recognize their achievements amongst peers and friends in India. The tempo of activities continued apace with a few chapters running ahead of others. Efforts continued to revitalize some of the Chapters which have been slow in taking off due to some inherent problems. Quarterly Board Meetings are being held through video conferencing so that we keep in touch with International Directors spread across the globe from Sydney in Australia to Vancouver in North America. At the AGM held in Singapore seven new International Board Members were elected. They are enthusiastic and committed individuals and their induction will certainly help reinforce the Board’s efforts to propel WZCC forward. The next AGM will be held in Mumbai, India, on 26th December 2013. It is planned to organize a get-together over dinner on the 25th evening to ensure better bonding amongst our widely spread fraternity. We all look forward with greater zeal to the future.
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WE_Ad.pdf
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WE (Women Entrepreneurs) 'The Women's Wing of WZCC' “WE” provides a platform for professional grooming, idea validation, strategic alliances and enterprise promotion. Women from all spheres, businesses and professions are welcome to join “WE” and realize their true potential and discover the power of being a woman. If you become a member of “WE”, you automatically become a member of World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC).
For membership and program details contact: Dolly Dhamodiwala Chairperson, WE +91-99203 68979 Dolzeen@gmail.com
Homai Mehta Vice Chairperson, WE +91-9820826367 homai_mehta@yahoo.com
Behroze Daruwalla Director – Corporate Secretary, WZCC +91-9619201951 behroze@frenaus.com
Villie Daruvala Secretary, WE +91-9820076993 villied@hotmail.com
Cover Story
A Journey of
Excellence and Trust ‘Architecture has recorded the great ideas of the human race. Not only has every religious symbol, but every human thought had its page in that vast book.’ - Victor Hugo
I
t is said that architecture is frozen music and the architect is the conductor of the symphony. The conductor puts together the orchestra and creates a magnum opus that speaks for itself. Architect extraordinaire Dinyar Wadia is one such person. His art is not just a recreation in the form of leisure but a recreation in terms of expressing himself through brick and mortar and producing one-of-a-kind classical architectural masterpieces. The Connecticut (USA) based Wadia has succeeded in revolutionising the highly competitive world of architecture and is reckoned as one of the most influential persons in his field today. Combining profound intellect and sharp business acumen, the self-made genius is an established name in tastefully designing and building picture-perfect traditionallystyled homes, gardens and interiors for his high-end clientele. By raising the bar and taking creativity to another level, he has established a credential and an imprimatur that is entirely and indelibly his.
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Although Wadia has worked worldwide, nothing carries the distinct stamp of his individuality in suburban America as the exquisite, finely-detailed old-style homes his firm has imaginatively carved out in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The artist in Wadia has gone to great lengths to draw a beautiful canvas with his very own signature. These distinctively gorgeous residences are the crowning glory of his achievements and have been recognised for the splendid harmony they bring between the past and the present. In an ever so gentle and smooth way, these living spaces enhance the landscape by effortlessly blending in with the surroundings.
Born in Mumbai, Wadia developed his love for architecture at a young age. The majestic buildings erected in the city by the British during India’s colonisation inspired him to conceptualise and design a style that stands out as essentially his. Among the edifices that struck his fancy were the Gateway of India, the Bombay Zoo, the Opera House and the Municipal Library. They offered him an enviable introduction to traditional architecture. He was also taken in by the breathtaking façade of Victoria Terminus – now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – India’s premier example of Hindu and Gothic architecture constructed by the British some 125 years ago.
After honing experience for five years in Christ-Janer’s office, he decided it was time to go it alone. The beauty and charm of the traditional buildings in New Canaan was more inviting than the modern vernacular he was working in at the office. So, undaunted by what lay ahead, he set up his own firm, Wadia Associates, in 1975. His company continues to grow storey by storey. Numerous projects of Wadia Associates today appear in at least two dozen varieties of notable architecture magazines and journals. Their first monograph, New Classicists: Wadia Associates, is available at
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The artist in Wadia has gone to great lengths to draw a beautiful canvas with his very own signature’’
There were other awakenings. Struck by the need to ensure that a home must have a bond with its location, he spent many happy summers absorbing the intricacies of extraordinary houses belonging to family and friends outside Mumbai city. Surrounded by water features and gazebos, it is here that the young Wadia developed an appreciation and a penchant for the true relationship between a home and its greens. Growing up with these early influences it was but natural that he would pursue nothing but architecture. After completing a five-year programme at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in India, plus a year’s study of fine arts and several courses in landscape architecture, he got married to Gool Wadia. They lived in the country for a brief two years before dissatisfaction about the ‘role’ played at that time by the architect in India set in. New York’s Columbia University beckoned with an allexpenses-paid offer and soon the Wadias set sail for the Big Apple. India’s loss was to be America’s gain. In 1969, he graduated at the top of his class and was awarded the prestigious William Kinney Fellow for best design. There would be no looking back from then on. Wadia joined the architectural firm of Victor Christ-Janer, one of his professors at Columbia University, in New Canaan, Connecticut. The years spent there were rewarding and he learnt two invaluable lessons under the prof’s tutelage -- the importance of listening to a client’s needs and that a monster called ego has no place in successful design. These have been his mantras ever since.
Arlene & Reuben Mark’s Home Greenwich CT
prominent bookstores and online. It offers an enticing glimpse of the wonderful work of Dinyar Wadia. The book’s foreword is written by HRH, The Prince of Wales, and the introduction is by Paul Gunther, President of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America.
they want and what their house should look like while others may have a general sense based upon places they have visited or photographs they have seen. The most important thing is we make their dreams come true by creating a home that is practical and liveable, as well as beautiful.”
Wadia Associates is not just concentrating on creating bespoke residences in the U.S. Its elegant signature line is visible even in distant Dalian, China, where the nouveau riche connoisseur wants a sophisticated living space which has roots in history and is transitional and young at the same time. “No one wants to live in their grandma’s house, but they do want some of the romanticism from the past,” Wadia indicates.
If there is a motif that characterises all his projects, it is that his homes seem to integrate themselves with the garden in an artful embrace. This communion with nature is intrinsic to his work and he believes that “a house without a garden has no soul”. Rather than indiscriminately tearing down trees, he takes great pains to visit each site personally, so that the windows are positioned to their best advantage to capture a special view of the garden and the house is bathed in sunlight. In today’s world, it makes great eco sense too.
“Designing a home is a process of discovery and begins with a period of gathering information, most importantly, about the client and the site chosen to build on,” he says. “Some clients may already know what
His team brings architectural intelligence to each new project it undertakes. Like many December, 2013
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Cover Story
Gool & Dinyar Wadia’s Kitchen
architects, Wadia is a self-taught man, both in classical and traditional designs. His work demonstrates a remarkable versatility and adaptability with commitments ranging, for example, from a Colonial Revival farmhouse to a French Normandy chateau; a Georgian style mansion to a quaint English country potting shed; an informal American shinglestyle home to a Tudor manor house… Wadia’s integrated approach to design can be evidenced first hand in ‘Gitanjali’, his 5,500-square-feet modestly-sized home in New Canaan, Connecticut, which in true English country setting is surrounded by lush meadows where two centuries-old trees still thrive. When the couple purchased the property in 1998, the house and the gardens were in a neglected state. Today, the exterior of the house has been painstakingly and lovingly restored to its original look. Named after a famous poem by Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, ‘Gitanjali’ is encircled by Palladio Award-winning greens, including a brook garden, a woodland walk, an English border, a herb garden and a peony garden. Gool Wadia, being a good cook, ensured that the kitchen was designed for maximum efficiency. The walls, as well as the nearby breakfast area and sitting room, are painted in the warm, golden colour of turmeric, a favourite spice in Indian cooking. As Gool and Dinyar both love bright colors, albeit subtly used, the formal dining rooms’ walls have a persimmon hue. The Chippendale dining chairs and the table, like much of the furniture in the distinctively stylish home, have been purchased on trips to England 16
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from Lady Pamela Pigeon who was, until her recent retirement, renowned for her combination home/shop in an 18th-century manor house in Herefordshire. Despite his hectic schedule, he finds time to support the Zoroastrian community and ensures that good causes are funded by him. He narrates an incident that took place when the fund-raising committee for the new Dare-Mehr in New York approached him. “The existing building, an old synagogue, built in the 1950s and acquired by the community, in New Jersey and New York, was in such a dilapidated condition that it made me cringe when I first saw it. I wondered why someone in his right mind would purchase a building which was in such a deplorable condition. What was worse was the design of the building. It was a 1960s’ modern done in really poor taste. I wondered how any young person would be inspired to go to religious classes in a building that wasn’t uplifting in the least bit.” However, he agreed to contribute his time to design the Dar-e-Mehr but persuaded the panel to do away with the idea of having a completely modern structure sans any roots in history. Capturing the old world charm and the Victorian era, he brilliantly designed a transitional building whose style and ornamentation draws semblance to the old heritage edifices and Agiaries our ancestors built centuries ago in India. The Dar-e-Mehr to be built in Pomona, New York, will be just 30 minutes from Manhattan, a convenient location for Zoroastrians from New York City, New York State and New Jersey. The Dar-e-Mehr will soon be one of the most
Gool Wadia
treasured landmarks in New York, acceptable both to our community and the American culture; a new a place of worship that is at once uplifting and inspiring for the younger generation, for the 18,000 Zoroastrians who live in North America. Little did Wadia know that the journey he embarked on would prove to be so rewarding! Still in his prime and with a brilliant future ahead of him, the designer par excellence hopes that the next generation of architects will be inspired by the classical journey he began years ago. After all, it has been truly said that architecture is where engineering stops and art begins.
By: Meher Bhesania
Best Wishes
On the auspicious occasion of the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress (27th to 30th December, 2013, Mumbai)
The Organisers of the 9th World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC), in Dubai convey warm felicitations and greetings to all members of the Zoroastrian community worldwide and wish Dr. Cyrus Poonawala, Chairman WZC, Mr. Nadir Godrej, Vice Chairman WZC, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and the Organizing Team of the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress every success.
The Congress Journey thus far: 1960 Tehran | 1964 Bombay | 1974 Bombay | 1978 | 1990 Bombay | 2000 Houston | 2005 London | 2009 Dubai| 2013 Mumbai | 2017 Singapore
Women Focus
Should we hand over charge to the
poweranis?
By: Bachi Karkaria
Indira Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi
Mayawati
Brinda Karat
Jayalalithaa Jayaram
Sushma Swaraj
Mamata Banerjee
Do women live up to the responsibilities which they have fought hard to wrest, or do they end up bleeding from the surrounding shards of the glass ceiling?
I
ndira Gandhi was called the ‘only man in her cabinet’. Of course we will hear the sniggers about her daughter-in-law having emasculated every able male in the Congress party to ensure that she is the only power centre despite holding no Cabinet post. But let me remind you that Margaret Thatcher was also given that epithet. Was it accompanied by admiration, sneers or the sound of wounds being sullenly licked? Depends on how objective you can bring yourself to be. Do women live up to the responsibilities which they have fought hard to wrest, or do they end up bleeding from the surrounding shards of the glass ceiling? It’s tough for their supporters to say yes to the first part of
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the question. Indira Gandhi was responsible for the darkest period of Indian democracy, imposing an Emergency which severely curtailed all our fundamental rights even if it made buses run on time. Sonia Gandhi never gets the credit which is her due for salvaging her demoralized Congress party as its nowlongest running president, and is instead thrust into an unseemly and unwarranted face-off with the Prime Minister. Our women Chief Ministers have been mercurial at best, despotic at worst. Jayalalitha, chief minister of Tamil Nadu, is known equally for her cut-out sized ego and corruption. Mayawati’s rule over India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, is remembered most for her being garlanded with high-denomination currency notes and queen-sized statutes of herself with her trade-mark handbag. West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee has been disastrously whimsical to anyone who contradicts her or even posts an unfavourable cartoon on Facebook. It’s easy to gloss over the fact that Jayalalitha has outsmarted as wily a rival as the Machiavellian Karunanidhi, not once but three times. That Mayawati may have studded herself in diamonds, but also did much to establish Dalit pride and power; this despite being saddled with the double burden of gender and caste. It’s difficult to find any redeeming argument for Mamata, but she did successfully dismantle the 34-year-strong ‘Red Fortress’ and has relentlessly championed the rights of ordinary people however disastrous this may be for the economic aspirations of a state which was once home to India’s commercial and political capital, but which has floundered in the doldrums for half a century. The unbearably smug Sushma Swaraj is nevertheless a five-term MP and now Leader of the Opposition. She now has quite a sisterhood in the terminally patriarchal BJP. Women are thin on the ground in the Communist parties despite their egalitarian tradition, but Brinda Karat is an articulate and visible presence. She cut her political teeth on London’s Bond Street where she worked at Air India and led an agitation against the mandatory wearing of skirts
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The handful of women at the top of the power pyramid so dominate the news cape, even if usually for the wrong reasons, that we fail to realize how pathetically half the population is represented” there; hers was the first sari on the CPM’s politburo, and at no time in her feisty career could anyone dare suggest that she drew her power from her husband, Prakash, the party’s general-secretary. The good, the bad and those of the ugly record, any which way you look at it, India’s poweranis have come a long way from the patronising remark of Pandit Nehru that Tarakeshwari Sinha, the firebrand MP from Orissa, ‘brought glamour to the Lok Sabha’. True, most of them started out as wives, daughters, bahus or at least ‘protégées with benefits’. But the point is that not only did they push right through the door that opened for them, they built their own mansions and became forces to reckon with. Which is why the stagnant Women’s bill calling for 33% reservation is so important - and arguably so feared. The opposition to it springs from the threat of clear and future danger for the entrenched male bastion, which is why the argument against it is expressed with hysteria and cheap jibes. Remember, how those calling for the reservation were denounced as ‘short-haired’ non-women. How unparliamentarily can you get? The handful of women at the top of the power pyramid so dominate the news cape, even if usually for the wrong reasons, that we fail to realize how pathetically half the population is represented. In a study published this International Women’s Day, India ranked 105th , with 11% presence in the Lok Sabha and 10.7% in the Rajya Sabha. Not only did it share this disgraceful position with Cote d’Ivoire, we were way behind our neighbours, trailing 85 places after Nepal, 55 after Pakistan, and 40 behind Bangladesh. The surprise here is that the top ranker was Rwanda with a wowing 56%. I don’t know what this does for that brutalized country, but I do know firsthand
the huge difference that women made at the grassroots when they were given 33% representation in panchayats. Instead of the usual male jockeying for power and kickbacks, they propelled tangible improvements in basic amenities, scaling up the change that comes about in families when the mother is empowered by education and enabled by health and nutrition. Women don’t have to be in politics; they can and do exercise power outside its privileged – and reviled -- circuit. These are not just the business-suit babes or those lip-synching the clichés of lib; if you know how to look, you will find them even in the most conventional households which the materfamilias controls with a mixture of assertion and guile. It may sometimes be regressive, but it’s always a mistake to be snooty about the avenues of empowerment. The Bihari young woman who moves from meekly embroidering cushion covers for her dowry chest to embroidering them for the market has made a greater leap forward than the woman brandishing placards at a march. According to classical feminist theory, ‘the personal is political’. More power to all the women who seize it, especially to those who don’t know that they have.
India’s noted journalist Bachi Karkaria December, 2013
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Success Story
A MAN THEY ALL BANK ON If you want to invest in integrity, honesty and dependability, one of the first names that come to mind is that of Farhad Irani. The quintessential banker, he has established for himself an enviable reputation in the financial sector.
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ot many of his ilk can boast to have a track record that threads its way through seven countries, currently making him the Executive Vice President and Group Head of Retail Banking at Mashreq, a trendsetting Bank in the United Arab Emirates. Prior to this, he was the CEO of PayPal Asia, (eBay, Inc.) based in Singapore, elevating businesses in nine Asian markets. In the past thirty years he has brought to bear a certain flair for his assignments and spearheaded innovative ideas and concepts that have made him synonymous with the success of new ventures. He goes about his task quietly, with great dignity, inspiring those around him and being the perfect role model for the new generation who still find it difficult to keep up with his incredible levels of energy. Since he stepped into the first job those three decades ago, Farhad has marked his career with three constants. He pursues excellence with unwavering commitment, never accepting less than the best, either from himself or from those he leads. He also firmly believes in the work ethic and encourages competence, new ideas and trial and error so far as that learning experience is marked by sincerity of purpose. This mindset has made him a favorite with the hierarchy who feel their ideas will get an airing. By that token he is very clear about the fact that when all is done, any mission must have a bottom line and that must indicate its success or failure‌ you move on with the former and you come
Farhad Irani
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to terms with the latter and learn lessons from it. In his career he has held sensitive posts including Global Head, Credit Card and Personal Loans Group, Standard Chartered Bank; Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, CitiFinancial Japan, CitiGroup; Country Head of Consumer Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Indonesia and Head Bankcard Division India, Standard Chartered Bank. A man of the world he has served with distinction across the globe and has brought to his office a ‘second wind’, frequently re-energizing the staff to aspire to greater things and managing to do just that. Armed with an unusual foresight and a sharp sense of future trends his strengths lie in developing business strategies, creating original business models, capturing new markets and making the right moves at the right time, this uncanny ability earning him the respect and admiration of his peers. Farhad is now an authority with hands on management experience in areas of retail, consumer banking and credit cards. His personal philosophy is simple. Hard work brings results. You seize the day and success will follow. The trick lies in being able to recognize Opportunity when it knocks on the door and welcome it rather than slam the door in its face because unless you are open to change you cannot make anything work for long. In his current role, he has already had a positive impact on the fortunes of Mashreq Bank with a series of bold initiatives. In recognition of the bank’s outstanding performance, Mashreq Bank earned the ‘Best Retail Banker Award’ in the Middle Eastern Region, in June 2012. Although he is a modest and quiet person who lets his work speak for him, he does admire those who have pioneered their way to new frontiers and has the confidence to learn even today from the best. As a high achiever, he recounts meeting with
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While every interaction with every human being leaves one a little richer, I feel lucky to have benefited from the positive rub off from such great minds. This is what drives me and keeps me motivated” the likes of Bill Gates, Hank Greenberg, Rupert Murdoch, Jeff Bezoz, Steve Jobs, Rana Talwar and says, “What impresses me the most is their passion, their vision and the ability to communicate and influence others. While every interaction with every human being leaves one a little richer, I feel lucky to have benefited from the positive rub off from such great minds. This is what drives me and keeps me motivated. There is always something more to do, you never rest on your laurels.” If the new generation looks up to him it is with good reason. The advice he gives to them is salutary: “Life is a marathon and not a sprint and success comes from 10 % inspiration and 90 % perspiration. To be an expert you just have to work the questions harder as someone out there can do your job better than you. Leverage on the assets at hand and discard the handicaps. Move forward each day and before long you will have travelled great distances.” He practices what he preaches. Endowed with an indefatigable stamina, a desire to make the impossible possible and enthused by challenge, Farhad shares is vision of what an individual can achieve regardless of how humble his beginnings. “Life should be led in a manner that brings out the best potential in each and every person. Show them that they can find it in themselves to do their best, so that when they look back in time they can really say that they built something for the next generation “and” they did not know it then but that was the best time in their lives,” he says.
In a life punctuated with success, Farhad Irani has won many awards for the organizations he has been associated with and also won accolades for himself. A distinguished speaker he has been awarded by the banking fraternity globally and won the title of “The Global Best” at the CitiGroup Global Consumer Finance Conference in Arizona in February 2005 as well as the Global Marketing Superstar, in 1995 from Advertising Age Magazine, Hong Kong. If he is an inspiration at work, he is no less a towering personality at home where he derives his ‘inspiration’ from his wife, Kate, who is his rock, his friend and sounding board and for whose intellect and common sense he has marked respect. “She is the love of my life, and is perhaps the stronger and more capable one,” he says, “She keeps me grounded.” Despite all his triumphs his personal greatness can be found in his words which he attributes to his team, “It is they who have brought recognition to me every few years.” A high flyer, Farhad Irani thinks that the best days are still ahead of him and with characteristic verve adds: “I’ve always thought that if you rest, you’ll rust. Life is an unending and ever-evolving experience!” For Farhad, the road ahead is a ribbon of more opportunity and he travels it with both hands on the wheel.
By: Bikram Vohra
December, 2013
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Padma Awards
Padma Awards On behalf of SynergyZ and the community we offer our wholehearted congratulations to the noted Industrialist, Adi Burjor Godrej on his being awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards in 2013. As Chairman of the four generation Godrej Group he has ensured the conglomerate stands synonymous with affordable and quality consumerism. By the same token we congratulate Dr. Mahrukh Tarapor for being given the Padma Shri for her distinguished career in the arts. She is now a widely recognized consultant for art museums globally and specialises in international initiatives and partnerships. We admire these two eminent members of our community who have striven, sought and never yielded and brought great honour to all of us.
Congratulations
Noted Industrialist, Adi Burjor Godrej won the Padma Bhushan, one of the country’s highest civilian awards in 2013.”
Adi Burjor Godrej receiving the Padma Bhushan Award from H.E. Mr. Pranab Kumar Mukherjee, the President of India. Profile: ADI GODREJ Noted Industrialist, Adi Burjor Godrej won the Padma Bhushan, one of the country’s highest civilian awards in 2013. Born in 1942, Adi Godrej received his Undergraduate and Master’s Degree in Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is the Chairman of the Godrej Group. He was the Chairman and President of The Central Organisation for Oil Industry and Trade, the Indo-American Society and the Governing Council of the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies and former member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the MIT Sloan School of Management and the Wharton Asian Executive Board. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi’ (The Engineering Honour Society); Chairman of the Board of the Indian School of Business; and President Designate, Confederation of Indian Industry. He has received several awards, including the Rajiv Gandhi Award, 2002; the Entrepreneur of the Year for the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards, 2010; Best Businessman of the Year for the GQ Men of the Year Awards, 2010; Chemexcil’s Lifetime Achievement Award, 2010; AIMA-JRD Tata Corporate Leadership Award, 2010; and BMA-Management Man of the Year Award 2010-2011. Established in 1897, the Godrej Group has seen four generations of a close-knit business family built conglomerate that stands for consumerism with concern for the common man by giving him quality without the expense. The company has grown; diversified, raised its profile yet never forgotten the aspirations of an average Indian and the single fact which inspired its beginnings. About 500 million Indians use one or the other of Godrej products each day, and this is more than the number of consumers any other Indian group has.
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Synergyz Congratulates Dr. Mahruk Tarapor on winning the Padma Shri
Dr. Tarapor currently serves on the International Advisory Board of the Sakip Sabançi Museum, Istanbul; and on the New York Board of the American Associates of the St. Catherine Foundation (Sinai, Egypt) as well as L’Association Suisse des Amis de la Fondation Sainte-Catherine in Geneva. She is also a Trustee of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
Profile: Dr. MAHRUKH TARAPOR Dr. Mahrukh Tarapor has had a long and distinguished career in the arts. A widely recognized consultant for art museums globally, and specializing in international initiatives and partnerships, Dr. Tarapor has been a leading figure for more than three decades in collaborations between cultural institutions, governments and museums. She currently serves as an advisor to the Museo del Prado, Madrid; the British Museum, and Tate in London; Art Exhibitions Australia in Sydney; and is Senior Advisor for International Initiatives at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Born in India, Dr. Tarapor received her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai in 1967, and subsequently her Ph.D from Harvard University. Dr. Tarapor began her career with a five-year post as Head of Gallery Education at The Asia Society in New York. This was followed by more than twenty-five years at The Metropolitan Museum of Art where, as Associate Director for Exhibitions, she defined a leading role for the Metropolitan in the international exchange of scholarship and works of art. In 2005 she was also appointed the Metropolitan’s first Director for International Affairs (Geneva, Switzerland) and was responsible for expanding and promoting the museum’s cultural relationships with museums and governments in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Outside of the United States and Europe, she has also worked extensively in and with countries such as Bulgaria, Georgia, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Tarapor currently serves on the International Advisory Board of the Sakip Sabançi Museum, Istanbul; and on the New York Board of the American Associates of the St. Catherine Foundation (Sinai, Egypt) as well as L’Association Suisse des Amis de la Fondation Sainte-Catherine in Geneva. She is also a Trustee of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. Dr. Tarapor has received numerous awards for her international initiatives. These include the decoration of Lazo de Dama de la Orden de Isabel la Católica from the Kingdom of Spain (1992); the decoration of the Great Patron Martyr of Sinai, St. Catherine, from the Imperial Monastery of Holy Mount Sinai, Egypt (1997); Award for Intellectual merit from the Kingdom of Morocco (1999); the Gran Encomienda de Isabel la Católica from the Kingdom of Spain (2001); and a Chevalier of the French Order of Arts and Letters (2007).
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Entrepreneurship
Failure is an option, Fear is not An Entrepreneurial Perspective “A calm sea never produces a skillful mariner. Navigating on shallow water near the shore without exploring the sea is a sin. Not taking a risk in our life is a sin in my opinion” says Dr. Durgadoss, an entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and a writer.
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ondly called as DD by his associates, Dr. Durgadoss captured the hearts and minds of an august gathering comprising Businessmen and Professionals at the Seminar on SME – ‘Opportunities and Challenges’, which was arranged by the Indian Businessmen and Professional Council at the Ritz Carlton, early this year in Dubai. In his opening remarks, Dr. Durgadoss said, “I salute you all – the risk takers who focus on ‘value addition’ rather than ‘validation’. As value creators, I consider you as the creamy layer of the society. SME business is the backbone of any economy.” Interlacing his speech with real life experiences as an entrepreneur, he touched upon the three valuable points: (1) The fragile economic world and the competitive landscape (2) The willingness to embrace failures (3) His personal experience as an entrepreneur
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1. THE FRAGILE ECONOMIC WORLD TODAY Concerned about the declining GDPs and growing unemployment, Dr. Durgodass told the following story. “In 2008, in a beach town in the Caribbean islands, one day a rich tourist walked into a hotel. The whole town was deserted. These were bad times. Everyone was in debt. The guest pays 100 US$ to the hotel manager. He told the manager that he will go up and see the room and come back. The hotel manager uses this 100 USD to pay the past debt to the butcher. The butcher in turn pays his debt to the sheep grower. He in turn pays back his debt to the fuel supplier. The fuel supplier in turn pays back the 100 USD to the same hotel to settle his old debt. Mean while the tourist comes back. He did not like the room. He took back the 100 USD not and walked out. No one earned anything. But everyone was out of debt. Everyone’s credit limit revived. The end result of all these fancy method is the great recession. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not progress. Every economy thought that it was growing but in reality there was only ‘motion’ and not ‘progresses’. The epicenter of all these was in United States and tremor was felt all around – economic chaos all around. We went through series of changes in economic themes – Growth Growth Growth first, Austerity next Austerity First, Growth Next Austerity Austerity Growth with Austerity
Growth & Austerity are oxymorons. Today we have two contrasting forces pulling us in different directions - Debt contraction compulsions; refusal to accept sacrifices on the part of people. Developed nations are not able to force sacrifice on people, hence they soft peddle the debt contraction option. They take new debt and repay old debt. The nations are rolling over their finances. They are just elongating the detonating wires and delay the blast than diffuse the blast.” Thereafter he cited another interesting episode. “The other day an SME sector businessman told me that his financiers were telling him that he was over leveraged. While the Debt to GDP leverage ratio of nations is near 100%, he complained that his financiers advised him to deleverage – this was a strange paradox! We live in the fragile economic world today. We are living in troubled times. But we cannot complain. The role of entrepreneurship is pronounced more in these troubled times. We need more entrepreneurs, more risk takers – But we should not be afraid of failures.” He then moved on to the second point.
2. EMBRACE FAILURES “You might have heard of the stories of achievers from motivational Gurus. Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Alva Edison, Sir C.V.Raman – all of them achieved after fighting innumerable battles. I will not address these again as you might be already familiar, but will narrate the story of an SME sector businessman in USA. A business executive was in deep debt and could see no way out. He sat in a park wondering what to do. Suddenly an old man appeared, listened to him and said ‘I can help you. Take this money and meet me exactly
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after one year at this same place and repay the amount’. He gave a cheque 5 million USD signed by John D. Rock Feller, the richest oil magnet of that time. The executive instead of using the cheque kept it in his safe and started with renewed optimism. At the back of the mind the 5 million USD was giving comfort to him. Slowly he came out if his debt, while the cheque was lying in his safe. Exactly one year later he went back to the park. The old man appeared. Just before handing over his cheque, a nurse came running, she said, “good I caught him. I hope he is not bothering you. He claims that he is John D. Rock Feller. He is actually a patient of our hospital.” The executive was stunned. He realized it was not the real but imaginary money that gave him the courage, that courage made all the difference. Humility in success and courage in failure is what we have to follow. Failure is an option, but fear is not!” He then moved on to the third point:
3. PREACHER OR PRACTITIONER It is always easy to preach than practice. Ronald Regan once said – “When your neighbour loses the job you call it a normal business cycle, but when you lose your job you call it a great depression”. Similarly a question may arise in your mind whether I have ever faced a failure – Am I talking here as a preacher or a practitioner of entrepreneurship. The question is valid.
HERE IS MY STORY “Life was a smooth ride for me, nice things were happening at the right time. During
We live in the fragile economic world today. We are living in troubled times. But we cannot complain. The role of entrepreneurship is pronounced more in these troubled times. We need more entrepreneurs, more risk takers – But we should not be afraid of failures.” December, 2013
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Entrepreneurship
this easy phase, I was also not an exception that hits everyone, yes; I am talking about the entrepreneurial bug. Your life is successful; you have spent a decent time on other’s business expansion. Why not we do ourselves? This bug also hit me. Success is lousy teacher; it seduces the smart people to think that they can never go wrong. If you are successful in one area, you tend to think you will be successful in all areas. The tail wind was taking me to the dizzy heights with no exposure to failures. Ego is an anesthetic that deadens the pain of stupidity. Repository of ego base started setting into my system slowly. I was feeling that the bottom is overcrowded; therefore I should reach the top quickly. Then came the sudden wind that twisted the whole picture, a wave of macroeconomic changes, led me to face the jaws of my first defeat on my first entrepreneurial move. The people who betted on me departed, the friends who invested with me turned into vociferous foes, the illustrious personalities on my board resigned from the board immediately at the first sight of the problems in my business model. Suddenly, I saw chaos around me. I started getting so many free advices. No one had time to go into the process of why the failure, but everyone looked at the outcome and not the process. I realized the world rewards the end and not the means. The world recognizes the performance and not the passion. Getting back to the MNC corporate main stream was a problem, as they do not take the executives who take entrepreneurship, seriously. The question that crossed my mind was – How do we handle failures, miseries and manage success or happiness? Success is your friend, failure is your teacher, I thought. Excess happiness syndrome and the lack of exposure to failure daunted me, tested me. I had two options – Brood over, get frustrated and perish or accept the realities, identify my USP and understand to recreate myself. I opted for the second one. I could not revive the unit or invest in that unit I could not get back to my plum job in an MNC – hence I took up a reasonable position in a relatively
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Every pain has a gain, you see. Have you every failed in your life? If not, I invite you to taste the thrills of the failure. I guarantee you; you will become a balanced personality with abundant wisdom” small corporate belonging to a Board of Director of my failed company.
frames of achievement. Continue to build entrepreneurial sprits into the societal DNA.
The Board of Director, who took a risk on me at this bad phase is a UAE based Businessman to whom I will always be grateful. In Ten years, I could do my doctorate, establish our corporate brand strongly in the market and stand in front of you with the wisdom gained, in the form of the book – ‘A Saint in the Boardroom’. Every pain has a gain, you see. Have you every failed in your life? If not, I invite you to taste the thrills of the failure. I guarantee you; you will become a balanced personality with abundant wisdom. Success tells you what you are; Failure tells you who you are. Failure is an option, while fear in not. Folks, it does not matter what happens to you in life, but what you do when something happens is the key.”
Finally, I invite you to taste the thrills of failure. I guarantee you that eventually you will win!”
Having staked his claim of being a Practitioner of entrepreneurship, he concluded as follow:
CONCLUDING REMARKS “We can control a process or strategy but cannot control the outcome. Failures may erupt; we need to fight them out. The champions are not made in the gym but are made in the inner walls of the chambers of your soul. You are fighting the greatest wars in the silent chambers of your soul. Fight it out …. Life may crown you or crucify you on a cross… Chase your passion but learn to face the outcome of whatever nature. Focus on the roots and not on fruits. Failure will teach you great lessons. Don’t shy away from failures in your entrepreneurial role. Never give up – stay hungry, stay positive, grow your risk appetite. Convert your inner sparks into
Good Luck!!
About: Dr R. Durgadoss (His associates call him Dr.DD) is an entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and a writer. Currently he is based in Dubai as a Group Director of a large Corporate. He has co-authored a book on ’Corporate Governance’ and a Business fiction ‘A Saint in the Boardroom’. An upcoming fiction: ‘The Shackles of the warrior’ spreads across a series of nine books depicting the heroism of the protagonist in his nine avatars.
19th - 21st, December, 2014 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaikh Zayed Road, Dubai
“Connecting the Leaders of Today with Tomorrow”
Registrations start Nov. 2013
Special Offer (Up to 30th April, 2014) Adults
775/- (US$ 215) (Two days) AED 925/- (US$ 255) (Three days) AED
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‘Enterprise Dubai’ offers an unparalleled platform for exploring business, leisure and pleasure opportunities that Dubai has to offer. The event is open to Zoroastrian Businessmen, Professionals, Youth and families worldwide.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Grand opening of the event by Royalty ë Event addressed by Heads of Government, Ministers and Industry Leaders ë Identify new trade / investment partners and take
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away business leads ë Network with policy makers/key government officials and
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leadership, communication, innovation, technology, medicine, education, culture and
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the global diaspora ë Talks by Internationally reputed Speakers in areas of: trade, community development ë Start up guidance on new business setup in Dubai/UAE
ë Visits to Free Trade Zones and B2B meetings ë Focus on youth ë Business Contest with Mega Prize: ‘Idea, Innovation and Implementation’ ë Mega Competitions/Prizes: ‘Masters of the Home Kitchen’; ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ and ‘Cricket Quiz’ ë Gala entertainment shows ë Prestigious Awards ceremony ë Sightseeing tour of Dubai and visits to shopping malls ë Scrumptious breakfast at the Burj Park, Down Town, Dubai ë Fabulous Dhow Cruise and much more...
Contact Details: Website: www.wzcongress.org/enterprisedubai Email: enterprisedubai2014@gmail.com Tel: +971 50 4590258 | +971 50 5158659 +971 50 5505174 Event Organized by: WZCongress, Dubai
Attend the mega event ‘Enterprise Dubai’ and ‘Explore, Engage and Evolve.’
Management
Five Critical Elements To Effective Change Why Should I Change?
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hange is one of the most widely discussed topics covered in the business world today. Aside from all the obvious reasons we have come across in answering the question ‘Why should I change?’ Eric Hoffman states it best: “In times of change, the learners will inherit the Earth, while the knower’s will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” There was a time when typewriters were getting replaced by computers. At that point in time the most effective typist who did not see the value and fought the change soon were out of work. The same principle rippled to companies that did not see the value in adopting new technology, they too in time became obsolete. In the course of my work I often spend hours upon hours doing research on various topics for discussion. My focus is usually on analyzing those organizations and persons that have made an impact in the world. I figure it’s a good place to start when trying to find the secrets to success and leadership. In one such research endeavor, I came quite unexpectedly upon a Japanese term and definition which struck a chord in me. The term is “kaizen”. Literally Kaizen means: change (kai) to become good (zen), but it is largely recognized as a life philosophy for continual improvement. In order to see further into your business you will need to stand taller. In order to stand taller you need to grow, you can only grow if you are willing to change. Change for most is often considered an obstacle; change for the successful is considered a milestone towards where they want to end up. The connection for me was easy, as one of my challenges in leadership training is to address the issue of change as an obstacle personally and professionally. Change is one of the things that we as social creatures seem conditioned to repel at every instance. It is often met with skepticism, anger and often a lack of enthusiasm. Even with these responses, change refuses to go away; however it is something that every business and leader must go through to remain competitive.
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The problem is not change itself, but the perception that a change in a normal routine will cause you untold and unnecessary harm, fear of the unknown – the greatest fear of the mind. It will affect the way you perform your job and jeopardize the security of knowing the specific action related to that job. As a leader, you must be able to see beyond this perception to the benefits of the intended action, and more importantly be able to spread that message upon people. Only through change will you begin to set in motion the successes of your life.
4. Who will be involved in helping with the implementation?
The reality of our situation is that change is a necessary element of business. An element that we continually master and should not be afraid of. In order for us to effectively implement change into our organization and lives we need to employ a proven system of success.
1. How will this update affect:
Next time you encounter change in your life, whether personally or professionally, consider the following ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ that will not only increase the chance of success but make change a smoother process along the way for all parties involved.
STEP 1: AWARENESS
1. The leader must help with the process in making all employees become aware and more so accept the need for change. 2. A leader that cannot see the value in change will be hard pressed to lead his/ her organization through future growth. 3. Breakdown the fears that surround the change needed.
5. How much time will it take?
STEP 2: DESIRED OUTCOME 1. What is the desired outcome from this change?
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The ripple effect of not changing is greater then the temporary pain and inconvenience of the change it self. The conclusion…. “get over it!”. Change is something that you have mastered all of your life. Don’t let it be an obstacle for you to realize your goals.
2. What would all parties involved consider the completion of this change a success?
STEP 3: IMPLICATION a. Me as a leader? b. My employees? c. My clients? 2. What will be the long-term implications if we do not accept the necessary change?
STEP 4: ACTION PLAN
1. Specifically what are people expected to do during this change? 2. This should be charted out in detail from start to finish.
STEP 5: REPETITION = REFINEMENT
1. Incorporate the change into your daily routine. 2. Keep in mind that any new implementation will take time to refine. 3. The ability to repeat a calculated action plan will refine what you do, creating a more efficient process along the way.
About: Fred is an International Speaker, with a background in Psychotherapy. His focus is around Emotional Engagement in personal and professional relationships. Fred has been dubbed by the media as a Human Behavior Expert.
Contact Details: www.FredSarkari.com fred@fredsarkari.com facebook.com/ fredsarkari
The reality of our situation is that change is a necessary element of business. An element that we continually master and should not be afraid of.”
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Human Resources
Managing Age Differences in the Workplace
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iversity is a key feature of today’s workforce and requires ongoing awareness and alignment on the part of managers and leaders. An important aspect of diversity management involves generational differences. Helping different age groups to perform well together and addressing employee engagement among these groups can be a challenge but you certainly don’t want to miss out on the different perspectives and gains that these different age groups can bring to the table. How aware are you, of these differences in work ethics and perspectives among your employees? Do you know how your own generational worldview may be affecting your leadership/ 32
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management abilities? Have you thought about how much synergy could occur among your employees if they, too, understood and appreciated these differences? Different generations of workers have very different expectations and values in terms of autonomy, company commitment, work ethics and work-life balance. Life experience helps shape these values. Workers born before 1946 value long-term employment and job security. Their life experiences have often created great respect for authority and economic certainty among them, along with company loyalty and strong self-discipline.
Generation Y, “Nexters” or “Millenials,”born since 1980 in the midst of instant communication and information, are perhaps the least bound by company loyalty”
Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1960, have usually experienced more opportunities than those that came before them and are also less traditional. They are driven to succeed, progress in their own careers and are often workaholics. Employees born between 1961 and 1979 belong to Generation X. With even more educational and international opportunities, this generation is entrepreneurial and individualistic. They tend to gravitate towards positions that allow them flexibility and self-expression, and are less respectful of authority, work traditions or corporate loyalty. Generation Y, “Nexters” or “Millenials,” born since 1980 in the midst of instant communication and information, are perhaps the least bound by company loyalty. These workers are motivated by work that challenges them intrinsically and provides external rewards. They are as mobile and fluid as the age in which they’ve been born. It’s important for leaders to recognize that each generation brings unique and valuable contributions to the table in terms of creativity, innovation and perspectives. But be aware that every individual doesn’t fit a generation generalization. What may be most important for managers to realize is that their own generation and values can affect how they view and manage others. Emotional and cultural intelligence is required to effectively stylize your techniques to best recognize what each employee brings to the table and how best to motivate them. It’s value differences, not simply age differences, that affect the workplace. As an Elite Executive Coach, I can work with leaders and employees to assess generational differences and conflicts, increase emotional intelligence and awareness, and help you to create a highly collaborative and productive workforce. On the website “The Grindstone,” contributor Meredith Lepore offers more insight into generational differences in the workplace. Lepore points out that Baby Boomers believe in putting in long hours
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Helping different age groups to perform well together and addressing employee engagement among these groups can be a challenge but you certainly don’t want to miss out on the different perspectives and gains that these different age groups can bring to the table” and are competitive; Generation Xers value autonomy and independence; Millennials or Generation Y employees are keyed into collaborative work and communication. Lepore spoke to organizational expert Jessie Newburn who added that Boomers respond to authentic mission statements and the big picture; GenXers are result-oriented in terms of the present; and Millennials value innovative and new solutions. Do you know how to create engagement in all of your workers? How do you best manage diverse generations of employees? Awareness of your own values and that of others is important. So, too, is helping workers to appreciate and recognize the contributions of different generations. I suggest individualizing your management practices and avoiding blanket policies, offering flexibility in terms of work-life balance, and promoting connection and sharing between different generations of workers. To individualize management policies concerning values, consider offering options when it comes to work-life balance. Some employees may want educational support, others a flexible work schedule. What kinds of leave do you offer your employees surrounding health and family matters? Outside training and education? Are there different ways for employees to put in hours? How do you balance hours put in versus results? Short-term versus long-term? Do you offer a variety of training methods for employees to choose from? Some workers may value a hands-on approach, others a classroom experience and still others, independent online tutorials.
Help your employees to connect, no matter their differences, so that they can learn from each other. Build social events into your workplace, encourage information and insight-sharing, and construct generationally-diverse project teams. This can help employees better understand each other. Consider diversity training programs to build cohesiveness among your workers.
About: Oksana Tashakova is an Elite Executive Coach, Change, Organizational and Talent Development Expert. For more details visit her website: www.academiaofhumanpotential.com to read articles on diversity and management, schedule an assessment of your workforce’s understanding or compatibility issues, or of your own emotional intelligence capabilities. You can sign up for an in-house training, online offerings, one-on-one coaching, a workshop or retreat.
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FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA
Best Wishes to World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce for a productive and successful Global Annual General Meeting! We salute WZCC in uniting Zarathushti entrepreneurs worldwide
WWW.FEZANA.ORG • SERVING THE NORTH AMERICAN ZARATHUSHTI COMMUNITY FOR OVER 25 YEARS
Tribute
Ardeshir Cowasjee FAREWELL TO A MAN OF LETTERS
The ripple effect of his loss is incalculable. A doyen of the famous Cowasjee Group, Ardeshir Cowasjee, the entrepreneur, writer and a public figure, who served his country as a philanthropist and held high offices in the Government of Pakistan left an indelible mark in his lifetime. His family, friends and a grateful nation bade him farewell with deep sadness, when he passed away on 24th November, 2012.
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orn in Karachi, Ardeshir Cowasjee came from a well known family of merchant shipbuilders. His father was Rustom Faqir Cowasjee and mother was Mucca Rustomjee. He completed his schooling at Bai Virbaijee Soparivala (BVS) Parsi School and later pursued further education at DJ Science College, Karachi. Even as a child he had an insatiable curiosity and always wanted to achieve things and set goals for himself. There was a sense of building; of establishing watersheds and much of his life he did just that. Ardeshir Cowasjee joined his family business, Cowasjee and Sons and East and West Steamship Company, in 1944. In the 1960s, he was involved in building of MV Ohrmazd in Scotland. He spent significant years building the ship and considered this, the greatest success story of his life. It epitomised his priorities and the course he had charted for himself.The family-owned shipping firm generated wealth and contributed to the economy of the country. It was nationalised by the Government in mid seventies.
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Even as a child he had an insatiable curiosity and always wanted to achieve things and set goals for himself�
In 1977, Ardeshir Cowasjee was appointed as an Adviser to the then President of Pakistan on Ports and Shipping subsequent to holding the post as the Chairman of Port Qasim Authority in 1975, and as the Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation in 1973. His many- faceted personality and his desire to excel and deliver on the promise made him indispensable to the nation’s leadership and they valued his contribution. But the steel and iron that went into designnig an ocean going ship was also indicative of another quality in him. He was creative, imaginative and had a flair for writing concisely.
also reading biographies and History. He was particularly interested in the era of the two World Wars.
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Known for his bohemian ways, a trait he was, in fact, proud of, was that he was always ready for a debate, on any topic, with anyone”
However, his most prized memories were of his wife, Nancy Dinshaw whom he lost after 40 years of close companionship in 1992. But he took pride in the fact that Ava, his daughter, took charge of one of the family business concerns and his son, Rustom, turned out to be a successful architect in Washington DC. He once said, “I could never have wished for a better son.”
Very few people possess true artistic ability and Ardeshir Cowasjee was clearly one of them. In 1989, he became a freelance columnist for Dawn, the leading newspaper in Pakistan. His columns won him a great fan following and he documented the country’s history for generations to come. But he also used his pen to take up good causes and one of these was the need to upgrade the quality of construction in the country and bring into the equation a code of ethics. The environment and violation of building codes by developers were subjects close to his heart, particularly in the context of Karachi. He had relentlessly tackled these issues and his persistence had paid off most of the time. One of his favourite people and a man he admired to the hilt and whom he wrote extensively on was Mohammad Ali Jinnah. His motto in life was, “Don’t worry about what others say or are likely to say about you and your actions.” His advice to the young Zoroastrians of Pakistan was: “Be lawabiding and survive.” From colorful robes to fine-tailored suits, Cowasjee’s sense of style often gave him an air of aristocracy. Known for his bohemian ways, a trait he was, in fact, proud of, was that he was always ready for a debate, on any topic, with anyone. And he always did his homework and knew his facts so it was always fascinating to hear him, as much as it was to read him. A connoisseur of the finer things of life, Ardeshir Cowasjee enjoyed collecting art, as
Having seen and experienced many vicissitudes in his life, his motto was “Have the courage of your convictions.” It is this courage of his convictions that made him write about life around him and earn him the title of a man of letters. As Ardeshir Cowasjee’s heath started failing, on December 25, 2011, at the age of 85 he brought his 22-old-year era of weekly columns for Dawn to a halt. The pen was capped for the last time, the inkpot closed but even in the last years of his life he was ready with studied opinion. In keeping with the Zoroastrian spirit of philanthropy, he was the Chairman of the Cowasjee Foundation, a family trust fund, now run by members of the family. The Foundation grants educational funds to poor and deserving families and scholarships to
students who have obtained admission in universities abroad. Countless young people have benefited from this Foundation. In another noble gesture, the Cowasjee School of Midwifery, is well equipped and functions in the grounds of the Lady Dufferin Hospital. Despite all this, Ardeshir Cowasjee liked to downplay his magnanimity to the community and society, and said with humility, “My contribution is doing and giving whatever has come naturally to me.” In the same vein he added, “One does not have to have power to be great, but simply to do what is right.” And he did a lot of it. By: Meher Bhesania December, 2013
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Women Achievers
Hall of Femme The ascent of a woman has begun. But there are still many miles to go. The trailblazers who raised the bar and broke through the glass ceiling are the ones to emulate. For their courage, their determination and their abilities in seizing the day and making the best of it. In this second part of the series we share the aspirations and successes of four women who have made their mark in what was once a man’s world and done it with grace and graciousness. Their stories are an inspiration to the next generation.
ZIA MODI Founder and Senior Partner of AZB & Partners
PROFILE
1. The business leader I admire the most: Ratan Tata 2. Your Leadership style:
¢ ¢ ¢ ¢
Delegative Participative Authoritative
PAll of the above
3. Your definition of power:
How to steer events and guide people in the right direction.
4. New Programs/frontiers conquered by you in 2012: Began enjoying serious advocacy on important issues. 5. What next?
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More of the same and with even more passion!
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Zia Mody passed her Law from the University of Cambridge, UK in 1978. She was enrolled with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in 1978 and did her LLM from Harvard Law School. Zia was admitted as a member of the New York State Bar by examination in 1980. She started her practice with Baker & McKenzie, New York before returning to India to start her own practice which is today AZB & Partners, Advocates & Solicitors. Her expertise includes corporate mergers and acquisitions, securities law, private equity and project finance, BPO related work, litigation and dispute resolution. Zia is a non-executive director of the HSBC, Hong Kong. She is a Vice President and member of the London Court of Arbitration (LCIA), and a member of several CII Committees. Zia has received numerous awards and acclaim in various practice areas and from various publications including being listed by Forbes Asia as one of ‘Asia’s 50 Power Businesswomen’ (2012). She has also been selected as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Indian Business by Business Today (a leading Indian business publication) in 2004 through 2012.
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PHEROZA J. GODREJ PROFILE
1. The Business leader you admire the most: Naoroji Pirojsha Godrej 2. My leadership style:
P P
¢ Delegative ¢ Participative ¢ Authoritative ¢ All of the above 3. Definition of Power:
The acquisition of and the ability to use life-enhancing values for the common good.
4. New Programs/frontiers conquered by you in 2012: Consolidation of the Godrej Archives, comprising 115 years of family and corporate treasures. 5. What next: • Curating, along with Firoza Punthakey Mistry, an exhibition on the rich and varied trade links between India and China and the people in the 18th and 19th centuries, to be held at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, from December, 2013 to January, 2014, which will coincide with the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress. • Restoration of the Alpaiwalla Museum in Mumbai. • Co-curating “The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in history and imagination” an exhibition – to be held at the Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, from October to December, 2013.
Knowledge has always been central to Pheroza’s life and she has absorbed it in the most eclectic manner, ensuring a wide ranging foundation for her career. Academically, Pheroza completed a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Subsequently, she earned a Master’s in English and French and also received a Diploma in Aesthetics. More recently she completed her Masters in Ancient Indian Culture. This diverse learning process has now been translated into a very successful venture in the arts and her recognition as a cultural authority. In 1971, she made an entrée into the then evolving Indian Art market by establishing Cymroza Art Gallery. Now synonymous with high end art and also a place to encourage fresh talent Cymroza is the capstone of her many achievements in the creative field. In 1986, she completed a detailed study of prints and drawings of British Landscape Art and Portraiture in India, the outcome of which was the publication of works co-written/coedited. These include, “Scenic Splendours: India through the Printed Image”; “A Pageant of Prints”; “Under the Indian Sun” and “Bombay to Mumbai – Changing Perspectives”. Indian Life and Landscape by Western Artists – a Victoria & Albert Museum (V & A) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Shangralaya (CSMVS) touring exhibition, which she co-curated. The initiative also included an accompanying publication, coauthored by her. Her ongoing interests in the history and sociology of the Parsee community saw its culmination in the publication of the definitive work, “A Zoroastrian Tapestry: Art, Religion & Culture”, co-edited with Firoza P. Mistree.
She is closely connected with like-minded entities involved in the promotion of Indian Art and works closely with them on several pretigious projects. Among the more eminent ones are the Museum Society of Bombay, CSMVS Museum Art Conservation Centre, and the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum. Pheroza is also the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai. While art is her vocation, she does enjoy another passion. Close to her heart is the conservation and protection of nature’s bounty. She actively supports various green NGOs, including the National Society of the Friends of the Trees, which she heads as President; the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) of which she is a member of the Governing Board and the Bombay Natural History Society of which she is a former VicePresident. Her good work does not just lie on canvas. It is reflected in her concern for her fellow people also. She is a Trustee of Impact India Foundation, whose mission it is to make India disability-free, and is former-President of the Maharashtra United Nations Association. These are not just titles but recognition for the tremendous zeal and energy she has brought to her commitments. When there is a little downtime and she is by herself she lets the music play. Even there, her involvement is full on. With the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, she pursues her interest in Western Classical Music and is also connected with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. A sailing enthusiast, she is a trustee of the Sea Cadet Corp.
As a person with such innate knowhow and experience her opinion is highly valued in art circles for the credibility she brings to the table. July 2013
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Women Achievers
Deena Motiwalla PROFILE
(Picture courtesy: Grace Paras)
1. The Leader I admire the most: Mahatma Gandhi 2. My leadership style:
¢ Delegative ¢ Participative ¢ Authoritative ¢ All of the above
P
3. My definition of Power: Use this Power wisely as Power corrupts. Keep the company of like minded persons who will help you when you need to make a decision. 4. New Programs/frontiers conquered in 2012:
Taking care of children less fortunate and giving them a safe and better future, especially in education.
5. What next?
Keep doing the same things and raising money for projects to support the children in need.
The personification of grace and a woman for all seasons her achievements underscore the depth of her work with improving the lot of the needy and adding more than just a touch of green to Mother Nature with whom she has a special bond. Deena Motiwalla has held many eminent positions and wears her distinction lightly and with good cheer. She has been the Co-Chairperson of Children’s Hope Foundation, Founder of Dubai Garden Circle and Chairperson of the Dubai Gardening Group, a curiously delightful mix of interests with a common thread of care and concern running through it. After completing her college degree in World Affairs at Harwell House, Buckinghamshire and Goethe Institute, Germany she joined D. S. Mulla Consultant’s company in 1959 in Dusseldorf, Germany to gain some work experience. Thereafter she returned to Mumbai and worked for ten years with the Indo German Chamber of Commerce, the first ever Indoforeign office to be opened in India, overseeing matters relating to social and cultural affairs at the Chamber. It was after this stint that she married Bomi Motiwalla, a well-established businessman. The young couple then made a move from India and arrived in Dubai in 1970, where they carved for themselves not only a niche in the corporate world but also became synonymous with philanthropy and other charitable causes. Her social standing received an added affection with several others being inspired by her green thumb and her love for maintaining gardens and flowers and literally spearheading a ‘green’ culture in urban Dubai, a saga that has becoming legendary. Her reputation in this field spread beyond the boundaries of the gulf. She travelled extensively and spent quality time at the world’s finest gardens in Holland and Scotland and attended the world’s famous flower shows in Dortmund,
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(Germany), Chelsea, (England) and the Floriade (Holland) the last being a once in ten year celebration of fauna from all over the globe. She is often quoted as saying “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” Deena’s bouquet of assets are best expressed by her “In the 1970’s when I came to Dubai, everywhere you saw, you could only see stretches of barren sand. There wasn’t a single green plant in sight. So I took it up as a challenge and gradually nurtured a beautiful garden of my own. I chose my flowers with care and tropical orchids and temperate roses flourished even in the sultry weather. As Chairperson of Dubai Gardening I have arranged several flower, fruit and vegetable shows annually in Dubai and loved every moment of it.” When the UAE embraced the idea of developing more sustainable landscape she contributed her ideas and techniques to the gardeners at the Dubai Municipality. She has been a judge at several Flower shows held in Dubai and Bahrain. In 2000, she became the Co-Chairperson of ‘The Children’s Hope Foundation’ that helps children around the world. Among her more esteemed awards are the Air India Cup; the IAL Plate, and the Al Ain Municipality Plaque; and the International Women’s Excellence Award 2011, Plaque and Crystal Trophy as “Mother of Gardens”. Deena Motiwalla is indeed one woman who inspires, empowers and motivates. Even though she knows life is not a bed of roses she has cupped her hands around the buds and given petals of hope and happiness to hundreds of men and women and children so they can flourish and grow…for that she has earned the name, ‘a beautiful gardner.’
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HomaI MODI PROFILE
1. The business leader I admire most: Anu Aga 2. My leadership style
¢ ¢ ¢ ¢
Delegative Participative Authoritative
PAll of the above
3. My definition of power:
The ability to lead with authority and control, yet involve those we lead in decision making at times. Discipline is a must, but with a ‘heart’.
4. New Programs/frontiers conquered in 2012.
a. Wrote and published the 100 years’ history of the Bel-Air Hospital of TB and HIV/AIDS in Panchgani titled “Harvest of a Century”. b. Appointed on the 5 member Advisory Board of the St. John Ambulance Brigade No.3 Maharashtra State Headquarters, Mumbai.
5. What next?
Keep handling various projects of starting a new 20 storied State of the Art Wockhardt Adams Wylie Memorial Hospital in Mumbai; a new blood bank and OPDs by Red Cross; building a new Warehouse in Vikhroli and setting up of a 3rd Museum.
Homai Modi, the great granddaughter of Sir Kavasji Katrak of Karachi and Jamshedji Framji Madan of Calcutta, a pioneer of film industries in India, is a Trustee and Joint Hon Secretary, of the K.R.Cama Oriental Institute. She has earned the reputation of being a reliable and an untiring social worker who is involved in several humanitarian projects, especially under the aegis of the Indian Red Cross Society. A few of them are: Nominee of the Governor of Maharashtra on the Indian Red Cross Society, Maharashtra State Branch from 1994-2008; Member, National Managing Body of the Indian Red Cross Society, New Delhi, from 2006-2011. Currently, she is the Honorary Secretary Maharashtra State Branch and Bombay City Branch, overseeing 34 District and Sub-District Branches in Maharashtra and is working in areas of health, disaster management and on the spot in the Naxal affected forests of Gadchiroli, the last being a conflict zone. But that does not deter her from taking the risk.She is also managing the BelAir TB and HIV/AIDS Sanatorium and Hospital at Panchgani and has started the Bel-Air College of Nursing in 2006 in collaboration with the University of Illinois, Chicago. It is certainly a full calendar but Homai has place for more good work and her strong will ensures that no knock goes unanswered. Her contributions to the community include - organizing an exhibition with the Prince of Wales Museum on “PARASIKA - the Zoroastrian Story”; conducting for BPP the Tercentenary Celebrations in 1981; the first awards function at the Cricket Club of India; the 4th and 5th World Zoroastrian Congresses in Mumbai. She was the Representative of India at the 6th Congress held in Tehran. She was on the Doongerwadi Committee and published for BPP “Towers of Silence”. She has also helped set up two permanent Museums in Udvada on the History of Zoroastrians and in Navsari, on Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, the 1st Baronet. Her work and her selflessness have touched many lives and lit a small candle where there was darkness. Her satisfaction comes from the knowledge that you can help your less endowed borthers and sisters and impact on their lives. When you think of Homai Modi you think of largesse without borders. A few of the many awards she has received are: Social and Community Service Award, 1989 from the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumas of India; the Dadabhai Naoroji International Millennium Award, 2003; the Mahavir Mahatma Award for Oneness for Peace and Humanity in Social Welfare in 2006; the Rashtriya Gaurav Award for Meritorious Services, Outstanding Performance and Remarkable Role, in 2009 from the India International Friendship Society, New Delhi; and the Red Cross Gold Medal, 2011.
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Economy
Comfortable Homes at
Budget Price
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he real estate segment will see a huge surge in demand by end 2013. If you consider the example of Mumbai the highest number of sale will be seen in Parel and extended suburbs like Vasai Virar Chembur Wadala Thane & Navi Mumbai. In Mumbai today, there are elite neighbourhoods even in the suburbs. You will find residential apartments in the bracket of Rs.4- Rs.6 crores even in Thane & Vashi. The reason for such new development to happen within suburbs is the business centres have shifted from South Mumbai to the suburbs and extended suburbs. As a result, the charm of once upon a time premium areas like South Mumbai has taken a hit and prices have appreciated at a higher rate in the suburbs. An apartment in Byculla will probably cost the same as Andheri or Ghatkopar. The commercial segment is a bit sluggish due to oversupply of space versus the demand. Due to this developers are coming up with new projects with small office spaces to create more demand. Hence small and medium enterprises can now get corporate which fall within their budget in areas like Lower Parel and BKC.
The commercial segment is a bit sluggish due to oversupply of space versus the demand�
The retail sector is not growing or creating huge demand as was forecasted by industry experts 5 yrs ago. Small malls are getting converted into commercial office spaces and hence you will see fewer malls opening in the coming years. On the whole you will see prices of real estate going up at a higher rate either by this year- end or post general elections. As far as the Parsi community is concerned I fail to understand why some people are ready to shell out anywhere between Rs.3 – Rs.5 crores for a leave and license contract in residential baugs of Mumbai. At the same price the person can buy probably lesser area on ownership in areas like Worli, Lower Parel, Bandra and most importantly create an asset for oneself. However for buying an apartment if one looks at the home loan option which is generally the case, the interest rates in India are quite high even compared to Middle East. I believe banks in Dubai offer 6% to 8% on home loans versus 10% to 12% in India. If NRI are looking at investing in real estate sector solely for investing and not personal use then it is always better to go in for a reputed builder in an under-construction project. This enables better rate appreciation once the project is completed. For consumers who are buying real estate in India for the purpose of settling down and wish to do so after 5 - 7 years can also buy in under construction projects.
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Sir. J.J. School, Navsari
Carnation Villa Karjat
Sir. J.J. School, Navsari
Indus Bunglow Scheme Lonavala
We are about to launch our own projects in Lonavala and areas surrounding Mumbai catering to affordable housing segment. Besides this we also offer consultancy services for architecture and interior design and turnkey contracts for high end residential, commercial and hospitality projects. By: Behzad Kharas, Chairman & Managing Director, THE BNK GROUP
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Behzad Kharas
Samrat House Nashik
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GR8! Women’s Achiever Awards
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Gulshan Kavarana
Winner of ‘GR8! Women’s Achiever Award’
E
veryone loves transformation stories from rags to riches, plain to beautiful and weak to strong. Gulshan Kavarana’s story is slightly different. It is thoughtprovoking. Perhaps most of all, the story of godly attributes like courage, compassion, wisdom, and strength―attributes which empower her to live one day at a time, enjoy one moment at a time, accept challenges as pathway to success and hope that one day everything will be alright. Wise, talented and beautiful, Gulshan Kavarana has been living in Dubai since last sixteen years. Needless to say, Gulshan’s life changed drastically when her second daughter Zara was born in 1997. Zara was diagnosed with Dravets Syndrome. When Gulshan found out about her condition she went desperately seeking help and advice from other parents in similar situations, as she was a new resident of Dubai. She felt as though she was drowning in self pity and was the only one going through the stages of acceptance: guilt, denial, self pity, anger, hopelessness and finally, the best stage of all acceptance. Thus Special Families Support group (SFS) was born. SFS started in 1999 with a dozen families in Gulshan’s living room. The motivation behind the group’s initiation was to bring together and uplift children with special needs and most importantly their families. The empowerment of parents, especially the mothers is something that Gulshan believes SFS has been most successful in doing as today, as parents are not afraid or embarrassed to talk about their children and the problems they face with others. This liberation has helped them stand up for themselves and their children and really change the face of the society they live in. SFS just recently celebrated their 13th year anniversary (December 9th 2012) and it is evident that Gulshan has been a vital part of so many people’s lives
and helped make them feel accepted, loved and comfortable. SFS has now grown to over 500 families and has chapters in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Chennai, Jeddah, Malaysia and Mumbai. She also helped set up the Ahura Support Group in Mumbai. Gulshan is truly spreading the motto of SFS: respect, love and accept (individuals with special needs) far and wide. Gulshan is an Art teacher at Mawaheb, an art studio for adults with special needs. She has won several prestigious awards. Most recently she won the third annual Petrochem ‘GR8! Women’s Achiever Award’ that honours the region’s top women from a variety of remarkable endeavours. She was also awarded the ‘Most Inspiring Woman Award’ from Arabian Business who nominated her among the ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Indians in the GCC’ for three consecutive years. Gulshan is also the recipient of the prominent PHASE (Princess Haya Award for Special Education) where she won the ‘Outstanding Family Award’. What’s On Dubai awarded her the ‘Inspire Award for Guardian of the Year’ and she was featured in Ahlan’s ‘Hot 100’ people of the UAE. Not only has Gulshan done her community proud and won the Jimmy Mistry ‘Young Achievers Award’ but she also made her school proud when they awarded her on their 100-year anniversary. Gulshan believes that one does not need incredible resources to impact another human being – one can and should make a difference by being conscious, by thinking of creative ways to make others feel good about themselves. She is grateful for the accolades that have been bestowed upon her and tries to be a blessing in someone’s life, everyday. After all the strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes. December, 2013
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With best compliments from
Vispi S. Dastur & Xerxes V. Dastur V.S. Dastur & Co. Chartered Accountants Tel : 91-22065835/6/7 Cell: 91-9819693211 Email: vispi.dastur@gmail.com dasturxerxes@gmail.com www.vsdasturco.com
Entrepreneurship
The Silent Partner… The Entrepreneur’s Spouse
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n this ever-evolving world of uncertainty and constant change, never ever doubt the influence of the Entrepreneur’s Spouse, as most successful entrepreneurs consider unconditional support from their spouses the single most important factor for their continued success. Substantial research, extensive analysis and several personal interviews with successful entrepreneurs and their spouses, has compelled me to conclude that entrepreneurs that come home to criticism and unpleasantness abandon their enterprise altogether. It has also led me to the fact that entrepreneurs easily change strategies if it is causing a problem at home. Let us attempt to understand the role of this very powerful individual that is probably the closest person in the life of an entrepreneur because a spouse is directly affected by the success or failure of the enterprise. In the case of a business partner, his/her role in the business is most often direct and contractual, and, in most cases, is seen and acknowledged. On the other hand, a spouse frequently remains in the background, unstudied and generally unacknowledged. Is an Entrepreneurs Spouse really VALUED? Entrepreneurs’ spouses live with uncertainty. Most folks married to entrepreneurs, value the role they play in supporting their partners’ passion, and would want their spouse to embrace a less mercenary view of their relationship. A diamond necklace for a missed family holiday dinner or a week away from home on business, when there happens to be a very sick child at home does not always go down very well with a spouse. Be optimistic, positive and generally not prone to worry and BINGO you’re the entrepreneurs version of a rock star. As Peter F. Drucker has so pertinently said, and I quote, “Wherever you see a successful businessman, someone once made a courageous decision”. And in most
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cases that courageous decision was either made or strongly influenced by the spouse. If they are your significant other, won’t their opinion be significant as well? There is often a disagreement about the answer to this question though my personal feeling and experience is YES INDEED… as their wisdom will sharpen your business skills at seeing things you would otherwise miss out on. It is just like Wall Street, where people alight from a Rolls Royce to get advice from people who use the public transport system. A spouse can most often become the motivating and balancing factor in the life of an entrepreneur. According to Bibby Financial Services, spouses of business owners in the UK spend 230 million unpaid hours each month to help their partners’ businesses. The report also shows that the hours worked by entrepreneurs’ partners are worth £72 billion every year to the UK economy. Something to think about…. The Entrepreneurs PRENUP Entrepreneurs remain positive about investing in people as most of them are of the belief that people are their greatest asset. Does that include the spouse? And the flip side of this is a question that is not very often asked (as it interferes with the family life and ego of a spouse) - would you ever hire your spouse either as an independent consultant or an employee in your business? Life as an entrepreneur is complicated enough to start with, and the added burden of balancing business and family is not something an entrepreneur ever looks forward to… not even when things are going good. To create the business of your dreams, an entrepreneur must learn the ins and outs of an entrepreneurial partnership – survival with the spouse while focusing on
growing and managing a business. Opening a business is one thing, growing it is another. When we put two people together, life becomes intricate, problems get knotty and the solution gets even more challenging. As has been rightly said, “True partnership means becoming comfortable with compromise, but not becoming compromising”. Your partnership should be committed towards harmonizing the freedom and vision of your entrepreneurial dreams with the grounded practicality of making a business work together. And talking about commitment, there was a striking difference however that I observed when interviewing women entrepreneurs. It also resonated with the fact that the instinctive nurturing feeling in a woman usually dominates her personality. I observed that in order of priority, women entrepreneurs usually list their spouse first, their close friends second and their business associates third. INTERESTING! (Men … are we listening). Spouses of entrepreneurs feel like second class citizens when compared to the business venture. They are asked to ‘balance’ the home and the entrepreneurial venture to such an extent, they feel that they are always asked to ‘accommodate’ with the assurance that things will only get better – the question being WHEN! They believe in their entrepreneur and the business and are willing to ‘please’ to such a degree that sometimes they just wait for a miracle to happen. But do they really understand the business and what it takes to be successful – can they represent their entrepreneur and the business at a social gathering, or are they at times a source of embarrassment. Let us address my four non-compromiseable prerequisites to being a ‘silent partner’.
The Balancing Act – bad feedback and white lies People like to be nice to people. But unfortunately, when it comes to business, spouses don’t always give the best advice. This is especially true at the birth of a business. Nobody wants to be a buzz-kill. The spouse hesitates to tell the entrepreneur their idea is bad, or their planning is not adequate, or anything else negative. Most spouses get conditioned to be supportive regardless of the situation. They also do not want to be wrong. Imagine your entrepreneur has an idea that you think is terrible. You share your objections, but he/ she goes ahead with the idea anyways, and it succeeds. Now you’ll always be the naysayer that never believed in them. Nobody wants to be that person. And that is exactly why most often you rarely get honest, objective business advice from spouses. And yet, spouses are the first people entrepreneurs turn to for advice. Confidence v/s Acceptance - Is knowledge and confidence, confused with emotion and acceptance? A hypothetical situation was created where 10 entrepreneurs and their respective spouses are asked to board an airplane and are told that the flight that they are about to take is the first-ever to feature pilotless technology. Each one of the couples is then told, privately, that their company’s software is running the aircraft’s automatic pilot system. Nine of the entrepreneurs and their respective spouses promptly leave the aircraft, each offering a different type of excuse. One entrepreneur and his spouse alone remain on board the jet, seeming very calm indeed. Asked why they were so confident in this first pilotless flight, the spouse of the entrepreneur replied: “If it is the same software that is developed by our company’s IT systems department, this plane won’t even take off”! Determination and Persistence – how much is too much! I asked a ‘silent partner’ once – “Your entrepreneur has failed twice already – why are you still supporting his business venture - do you really believe this time he will succeed – haven’t you had enough already”? And she replied with conviction in her voice,
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“Swimming along the flow is effortless but swimming against it needs effort. You should not go the way life takes you, but take life the way you want to go…. dare to be determined and persistent. This time I will be helping him succeed”!
– “having gone through the pleasure of being called ‘the silent partner’, and having unconditionally supported your significant other’s entrepreneurship dreams and ventures, if there was just one thing you wanted to tell ‘your entrepreneur’ what would it be”?
Are you IN or OUT of the Business – what is your commitment? In my opinion and experience, the biggest question of all that an entrepreneurs spouse needs to answer is - are you in or out of the business. And this by no means is an easy question to answer. But once you have decided that you are ‘in’ the business, it becomes a ball-and-chain that you carry with you for a long time, whether you like it or not. You are then married not only to the entrepreneur but also to the business.
Their feelings, experiences and choice of words may have been quite different based on their circumstances, but one common message was echoed loud and clear, and I paraphrase this for your reading – “It is a very difficult and challenging path but indeed a satisfying one. It is also a lonely experience which many will never be able to relate to – however, it is a journey worth pursuing. My Dear Entrepreneur, It is important to remember that life goes on. While building a business please don’t put your spouse on hold”.
In my world of entrepreneurship, my spouse is certainly IN the business. Though her frustrations are very real and sometimes visible; the unconditional support and caring, the constant concern for my accomplishments and my success, and the worry regarding an adverse effect on my ego, far make up for her dissatisfaction and irritation of the entrepreneurial situation. Having said this, she is also my best and worst critic; a role that I encourage her to play for continued success of the business. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “I think I’ve been asked to do something about everything in the world except change the weather”. These words so aptly describe the feelings of an entrepreneur’s spouse. There are always competing needs, and constant juggling is required so as to prioritize and focus to find a fine balance. Business ownership can cause strain and resentment, spouses say. It’s almost like there’s a thirdparty in your marriage. Work-life balance is one of the biggest concerns for entrepreneurs, and often it’s up to the spouse to keep that harmony. This is how they feel…. Our Silent Partners I consider myself privileged to have been invited into the minds and hearts of our ‘silent partners’. What I learnt has certainly made me think about my own situation much more than I would ever care to admit. One final question that I asked them all
About:
Nozer Buchia, also referred to as Mr. Motivator, is an internationally acclaimed motivational, inspirational and keynote speaker of repute. He is known as a “speakers-speaker” due to his dynamic inimitable style of humor and delivery, and his practical approach to any situation. Author of WHY ENTREPRENEURS REALLY FAIL and ROADMAP TO SUCCESS (co-authored with Dr. Ken Blanchard and Dr. Deepak Chopra) Nozer guides and mentors organizations and individuals, and helps them plan and strategize for success. Individuals and corporations worldwide have greatly benefitted from his motivational and keynote addresses, his seminars, and his leadership training sessions, for he stimulates thinking and helps formulate and communicate corporate strategy with clarity and effectiveness. Nozer can be contacted at: nozer@nozerbuchia.com and at (832) 606-1777. December, 2013
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Business Ethics
GLOBAL COLLAPSE OF BUSINESS CREDIBILITY
GLOBAL COLLAPSE OF BUSINESS CREDIBILITY
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t was not very long ago that
our forefathers saw honour as the cornerstone of their work ethos and never allowed it to be compromised. They would surrender wealth, comfort and profit for their good name and anything less than total probity was not even considered a viable option. On the contrary, self esteem, respect of their peers and doing the right thing for the right reasons whatever the consequences became not only the hallmark of their ethics but was the core of the legacy they handed to the next generation. The question we have to ask ourselves is whether that legacy is now as spotless as it has been through the centuries? Has the era of technology and the sentiment of ‘win at all costs’ turned ethics into a softer entity, far too often eclipsed by the call of expediency? One does occasionally get the feeling that the old values have been assaulted and bruised. They are seen as an 48
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inconvenience, an obstacle in the way of material success. Suffice it to say that while we may have gained knowledge we have given up a great deal of the intrinsic wisdom which marked us as civilised human beings. Today wisdom has taken a back seat. Perhaps the saddest fallout of this dilution or moral conduct is that it is tolerated and not seen as deterioration but as a sign of our times. Let me elaborate a little. We seem to have an inbuilt resistance to looking up to people. Where once we venerated the learned, the teachers of our faith, the keepers of our trust, we now have turned these saints and wise men and women into caricatures. There is no time for them, they have become a picture on the wall, a passing fancy but no longer the beacons that guided us and kept us honest. Do I sound dramatic when I submit that the infinite wisdom and time tested virtues
of life have disappeared into the fog of blind avarice, where we are now judged and we judge by what symbols of success we possess, not by looking inside our souls. Let me reproduce what Lin Yutang said, “Today we are afraid of simple words like goodness and mercy and kindness. We don’t believe in the good old words because we don’t believe in the good old values anymore. And that’s why the world is sick”. The world is not sick. Indeed, it is we who have stopped caring for it and nursing it. If there is a sickness it lies within us and it is now up to us to come together and do some singular and collective spring cleaning. Take out those cobwebs of dirt, deceit and depression and let the sun cleanse us again. We may not like to admit it but our hearts are loaded with hatred, jealousy, greed and malice. If I sound extreme and even a little desperate it is because the times call for a realisation and an awakening. There is no point being gentle and soft in one’s approach when the citadel crumbles around us. Ours acts are wrong and we shamelessly and blatantly continue to stagger down that path with a hope that assimilation of all wrongs will ultimately culminate into something ‘right’. The premise is not only rocky it is mired in deception for it can never convert into the righteousness we expect. Our tolerance for the acts our ancestors despised is one of the single largest reasons for this collapse of our code of conduct. We do not see corruption or bribery or graft as a crime but as a convenience, a catalyst to get our work done, to expedite delay or simply jump the line. Nepotism has become a way of life. Instead of fighting the rot in the system we contribute to it and make it worse. Let us remind ourselves of what Milton S. Eisenhower maintained – “Modern man worships at the temple
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Your Honor, I did not steal his wallet. The money inside his wallet looked so familiar, I thought it was mine.” of science, but science tells him what is possible, not what is right”. There is no doubt that the world has progressed in terms of material wealth, living conveniences, worldly facilities, etc. but here again we need to pause and read carefully what Omar N. Bradley had to say years ago – “The world has achieved brilliance without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants”. Even as this essay in ethics expressed my dismay at the way things have gone down the tube I am reminded of a parable I must share with you. A Judge in a court of law asks the convict why he stole someone’s wallet. The convict replied, “Your Honor, I did not steal his wallet. The money inside his wallet looked so familiar, I thought it was mine”. You see, our conscience has become soft and malleable. We can tuck it away, thrust it into a corner or simply ignore it, because it is no longer our inner policeman. In the world of commerce, the true bottom line of business is to spread happiness and comfort. Business produces a commodity that aids in improving lifestyle. This is precisely what our ancestors did. They toiled hard to do something constructive which would ultimately provide a certain upliftment. Tatas, Wadias, Godrej and many other distinguished business stalwarts generated happiness through their noble deeds. That was the gilt edge on their profits. They did good for themselves but, more importantly, for the community. There was no price tag on their credibility.
It was Harry S. Truman who said – “A person who is fundamentally honest, doesn’t need a code of ethics”. And so, how has it changed. The one point agenda of today’s business is to amass wealth at any cost and that, too, in the shortest possible time. “Profit” is the old-fashioned word; dead and gone. “Profiteering” is the smartest way of doing business. The fall is universal and across the board. We have lowered the bar to a very low level. The corruption is in business, it is there in sports, it is there in society, it is there in religion. Frankly, it is there in the very blood stream of today’s mankind. Think about this very sobering thought. “When God measures a man, He puts the tape around the heart instead of the head”. Perhaps things will change and will come a full circle. Perhaps we will go so low and hit rock bottom and have no choice but to rise again and recapture the glory days where, as said at the beginning, honour was all. Let us make our life worth living. Keep in mind the words of R.G. Letourneau famous industrialist. “It pays to be in partnership with God, because spiritual bankruptcy is far more serious than financial loss could ever be.”
By – Adi Siganporia, Chairman, WZCC-Mumbai Chapter
December, 2013
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Business Dynamics
THE DYNAMICS OF DOING BUSINESS Although many new corporate leaders ignore the inherent logic of the old saying: if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, perhaps it is fair to say that the reverse is also a hazard. If it is broken, don’t let it be that way, fix it.
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ertainly, imperfection is a
spur and a challenge. It is like giving an uncut diamond to a gemologist and telling him to work on it, eliminate the flaw and create a beautiful item of jewellery. Much in the same fashion, when I look around me, I see so much that needs to be repaired, redone, overhauled, corrected and reworked. Those who pick up the baton and run with it will be the achievers of the future. The others will only dream about change.
I wanted to take up the challenge of being singularly responsible for what I did in a working day and over the long haul. The question that many asked me at that time was; “What made you opt for such a significant change in your career?”
There is no simple answer, nothing like some midnight revelation or an epiphany but a slowly gathering conviction that I had to find my own Remember the words of Robert track and run on it. I wanted the buck Kennedy: Some people see things to stop with me. as they are and ask why? Others see I have always been an avid reader on things as they are not and ask, why the subject of Management, more not…Vineet Nayar, Vice Chairman and specifically books by the well known CEO HCL technologies. author, the Late Peter Drucker. I was After 18 years working with a Multinational in multiple senior management positions in the Chemicals and Plastics Division, I decided, after months of deliberation, to become an entrepreneur. Not because the label has a nice resonance to it, but because
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influenced by Drucker’s words on “Managing Oneself.” He said: “Today’s successful careers are not planned out in advance. They develop when people are prepared for opportunities, because they have asked themselves the right questions such as:
• What are my strengths? • What are my values? • How can I keep improving my performance? • Is my contribution providing value to the Organization? • Where should I be, so I can perform to my maximum potential? I took these words of wisdom to heart and I tried to create my own philosophy of the work ethos, if you can call it that. And so it came to pass that I moved from one orbit into another becoming one of two entrepreneurs who formed Ecoplast Pvt. Ltd. in 1981. We had scarcely taken off when tragedy struck us a cruel blow. My partner and co-entrepreneur T.P.Vashi unfortunately expired just two months after commercial production started in September 1982. But we soldiered on, convinced that he would have wanted us to make the company something
tangible even if his journey with it had been cut short. Ecoplast became a public limited Company in November 1994, and I was appointed Chairman and Managing Director. Today, I can safely say we are one of India’s most respected suppliers of multi-layer (3 – layer) Co-extruded polyethylene and co-polymer films to the Flexible Packaging Industry and arguably one of the largest. Yes, we have come a long way. I would place on record that the milestones on this success highway have been marked by innovative ideas, specifically for specialty applications which have been developed over the last two decades. When I look back, I have to admit, that I did expect a modicum of success because I had that self belief but this was really much bigger than I had dreamt. I am proud of it and am humbled by the result of these years of hard work. Naturally, everyone in the Ecoplast family has a role to play, not one of them is insignificant and I like to see us as an entity. Not that I am a Peter Drucker, by any means, as we moved forward and began to establish our bona fides and grew exponentially, I did often contemplate what it was that made us tick the right boxes. Allow me to share my three cornerstones of my work ethos and paramount in making a business work: i) Targeting or developing a process for Customer Satisfaction – building a Brand. ii) Overcoming the challenges resulting from unforeseen changes in the business environment. iii) Developing a management system As soon as an entrepreneur hires people and gives them specific responsibilities for performance, he becomes a manager; the basic purpose being to secure the most effective results through and with the team. You cannot
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I have made it a point to earmark a certain reading schedule for my managers and would be delighted to walk you through my ‘library’” go it alone or lead from behind…you have to show the way. All potential managers or entrepreneurs striking out on their own should imbibe the guidelines of the most successful captains of industry. I have made it a point to earmark a certain reading schedule for my managers and would be delighted to walk you through my ‘library.’ The work of Management began to be studied from the early years of the two most successful companies in the world: Ford Motor Company and General Motors. The thoughts on modern management were initiated by Alfred P. Sloan, Head of General Motors, in his book “My Years with General Motors.” Since then the subject of management has been widely explored and documented; one major and renowned contributor to management being Peter Drucker and two of his most widely read books titled: “The Practice of Management” and “Managing for Results.” It was not until the exciting 60’s that the management consultancy firm of Louis Allen Associates classified management work logically into four basic Functions - Planning, Organising, Leading & Control and related activities. In this classification the work of each Function and Activity is distinct and unique, yet there is strong interrelationship, to the extent that no one Activity conducted in isolation can yield results and they must work in consonance with each other.
Out there in our country there is so much raw talent, so many skill sets, so many young men and women all ready to change the dynamics of doing business. For them I have encapsulated a few points that would make a decent framework to start with. They are simple and even obvious but that is exactly why many a person goes out of the door and loses his way because he does not recognise the ‘simple.’ 1. Have an idea, a product or service that is of value to the customer, or will meet a need hitherto unfulfilled. 2. Have the capability (or alternately a person within the Organisation) and the essential knowledge to produce and sell the product or service. 3. Have the capability to make a credible project report or business plan, to show the future cash earnings potential and financial ratios. 4. Provide some evidence of your leadership capabilities. 5. Have the capability to develop a management system, to sustain growth and profitability. If you can honestly rate yourself on these five criteria and take the rough with the smooth, the world is your oyster.
By: Pheroze P. Kharas Chairman and Managing Director Ecoplast Ltd. December, 2013
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Zoroastrian Return to Roots Return, Reconnect, Revive
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eturn to Roots aims to provide youth living in the diaspora an opportunity to experience Zoroastrian India through short tours led by community experts and scholars. The main feature of the program is a short tour of Zoroastrian India where youth explore and discover their heritage while learning about their commonalities and the diversity that exists across the diaspora. Our long-term goal is to run these tours to Iran as well. We also aim to support local Zoroastrian communities and institutions within India as young Zoroastrians return to their roots and help revive the community globally. The inaugural trip will be from 24 December 2013 to 6 January 2014 and will include attendance at the World Zoroastrian Congress in Mumbai.
We received applications from all over the world for the inaugural trip, with the majority of the applications coming from North America. We also received applications from Australia, Pakistan, India and the UK. 52
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Once we complete the inaugural tour, we plan to announce new trips for 2014. We are planning to offer a special trip to Zoroastrian India for adults; we are designing a youth trip to India with a special focus on Zoroastrian culture; and we are also working towards designing youth trips for Iran. If you would like to be updated about our future trips, please join our group on Facebook by clicking here. More information about the program is also available on our website: http:// zororoots.org/ We endeavor to make these trips as affordable as possible for youth, and we have been able to accept participants so far on a needs-blind basis. We would like to thank BPP, FEZANA, the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York, and the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario, as well as several private donors from across the globe for their gracious support so far.
If you would like to contribute please email Dinsha Mistree (dmistree@gmail. com) North America Representative; Rosheen Kabraji (rosheen.kabraji@ gmail.com) UK/Europe/Middle East/ Pakistan Representative; Shireen Havewala (shireen.havewala@gmail. com) India/Iran Representative. For general queries please email: contact@ zororoots.org.
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sand dunes of Bikaner, wildlife safaris only add to the charm of this exquisite sojourn.
Travelling in true Maharaja style
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ndia has the famed Palace
on Wheels and the Deccan Odyssey (amongst few others) to its proud portfolio of luxury trains. The Maharajas’ Express has joined this elite bandwagon bringing with itself the superlative in luxurious rail transport, heralding a new era in India’s travel and hospitality sector. Within a short span of three years, the Maharajas’ Express has won accolades like ‘World’s Leading Luxury Train 2012’ by World Travel Awards. Also adjudged as the 1st Runners up in the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Travel Award ’2011 and the ‘Best Luxury Train’ by CNBC Travel Award 2010, the train has set novel standards in the realms of stylish travel. The first Pan India luxury train that cuts along state borders, meanders its way through some of the most beautiful locales in the country offering panoramic views of India’s countryside. About half-a kilometer long, the Maharajas’ Express chugs its way across some of India’s culturally rich cities like Agra, Jaipur, Gwalior, Ranthambore, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Jodhpur, Udaipur etc.to give the travelers a unique insight into India’s rich heritage. The Maharajas’ Express has redefined luxury travel through a unique blend of five-star hospitality and high-tech modern amenities in the course of its journey. With never before seen
features (on Indian luxury train) like water-filtration plants in each coach, individual climate control in each cabin, direct-dialing telephones, etc. this train journey aims to give its guests the taste of Indian hospitality with home-away from home feel. Other extraordinary features include spacious cabins and wardrobes, live TV, environment-friendly toilets, complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity, large panoramic windows, CCTV cameras in public areas, in-house paramedic and air ambulance service, 24 hrs personalized valet services in each cabin ensure an extremely comfortable and delightful sojourn. Two fine dining restaurants, namely Mayur Mahal and the Rang Mahal feature a mix of traditional Indian and continental dishes to suit the tastes of the discerning travelers. The guests can relax in the Safari Bar or the Rajah Club and choose from selection of complimentary Indian wines and liquors (foreign liquors being available on payment basis). For the book worms, a collection of books on Indian art, culture and history are well laid out to be explored. Interesting excursions and gala events await the guests at various cities on the itinerary. The opportunity to meet Indian royalty, elephant polo at Jaipur, champagne breakfast overlooking the Taj Mahal, sundowner cocktails on the
Owned by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC), the Maharajas’ Express operates from October to April on five different itineraries. (For details, see Inbox.) Each itinerary is designed to give the guest a true feel of India’s rich culture, heritage and wild life. When compared to its South-East Asian counterpart, the Eastern and Oriental Express (which runs through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok) and Rovos Rail (in South Africa), the Maharajas’ Express stands much superior with spacious cabins and with the addition of ultraluxurious presidential suite and suite cabins, both of which are available only on the Maharajas’ Express. Get ready to tour and enjoy this unforgettable rail odyssey that promises a truly royal experience.
About: Bandana Jain is a freelance writer based in Dubai who writes articles on travel, art, lifestyle, environment, personalities, education, current events, etc… She can be contacted at: bandanajain@yahoo.com December, 2013
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Opportunities in India
Homeward Bound
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tarting in the seventies and eighties, increasingly
By 2015 approximately 300,000 working professionals will return to India. There are many reasons for this...� Umeed Kothavala outlines the pros and cons for consideration by experienced and talented Indians with international exposure.
ambitious Indian parents packed their children off to colleges abroad in the hope of a better education, better job opportunities and a premium in the marriage market. Moving West or Down Under was a passport to prosperity and a better future. Is the tide now turning? What started as a trickle in the nineties is fast gaining momentum. Kelly Services, a recruitment consultancy firm, estimates that by 2015 approximately 3,00,000 working professionals will return to India. There are many reasons for this.
Multinationals are relocating employees
Multinationals setting up office in 54
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India and expanding their business on the sub-continent are relocating their Indian employees back to India. Their NRI employees blend well into the Indian work culture and most understand at least one Indian language; and India is in need of these experienced managers and tech professionals. Salaries are commensurate with the foreign lifestyle. Green card and immigration insecurity
Green cards in the US are more difficult than ever to get with waiting times stretching from six to ten years. Better opportunities in India
The economic downturn in 2008 and the recession that followed resulted in jobs vanishing almost overnight. The
Indian economy, however, has surged over the last decade and has been somewhat insulated from the crisis. India now offers careers beyond IT. The gap in compensation between India and the West has been bridged. Improved standards of living in India
Standards of living in India are on the rise – particularly in the metros and larger cities where most NRIs choose to settle. International food, shopping, culture and fashion allow one to maintain a universal lifestyle. Most NRIs live comfortable lives in secure, gated communities and have no dearth of household help. The availability of good schools
Education is one of the most crucial factors in the decision to move back. Most returning Indians seem satisfied with the standard of education at the school level – specifically at the better international schools. Indian schools tend to be less impacted by drugs, violence, and gang wars. Emotional attachments
The biggest motivator, however, is emotional. As high as 76% of Indians said it was family ties that brought them back home. Most Indians have a strong sense of family. They want to take care of ageing parents; they want to raise their children in India with Indian values. Loneliness may also be a contributing factor. A good job and secure financial conditions do not compensate for the absence of one’s extended family and larger circle of friends. Despite its many advantages, India can be harsh, unyielding, and frustrating at the best of times.
We take a look at some of the problems and challenges below. The Indian Work Ethic
The workday in the US and most European countries typically starts and ends early, leaving evenings free for personal time. Weekends are precious and jealously guarded. In India, it’s usual to get to work late in the day – especially in the IT industry – and to work until late at night. Indian employees perceive quality differently from their western counterparts. They are more tolerant of failure. Indians find it hard to be direct and they find it impolite to say no. They also take criticism personally and do not see it as constructive. Kaustubh Gunjal, who moved back to India after nine years in Australia resented the fact that in several HR interviews he was treated as a commodity to be accommodated strictly within a pre-defined role. He feels educated people with work experience should be given the opportunity to try their hand at something new. Education
At the college level, competition is fierce and getting admission into IITs and similar institutions is extremely difficult, and often not worth the effort to battle the arbitrariness of the process.
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Facilities and Transport
Being transplanted from an immaculate and manicured Western suburb into one of India’s over-crowded, polluted metros can be a culture shock even for most Indians. Right outside the walls of gated communities sprawls reality – crumbling infrastructure, a lack of public facilities, pothole-ridden roads and systems that just don’t work. Power and water shortages make dayto-day living a nightmare. While public transport is improving, it hasn’t been able to keep up with surging populations. Ultimately, returning to India is a personal decision, driven and impacted by several, sometimes conflicting, needs and priorities. For some, the country seems to be in an eternal state of change. Yet for those who make the journey successfully, it’s an opportunity for a fresh start, to do more, give back, and bring global experiences back home. It’s a ringside seat to the greatest show on Earth.
A good job and secure financial conditions do not compensate for the absence of one’s extended family and larger circle of friends.”
Rampant Corruption
NRIs find it hard to deal with the corruption that permeates almost every aspect of daily life. This means living and working in an ethically questionable environment, and too often having to resort to unconventional means to get one’s work or personal affairs taken care of.
By: Umeed Kothavala CEO, Extentia Information Technology
December, 2013
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Coaching
The role of coaching in the
context of management We are vaguely familiar with the terms management and coaching. but still lack the knowledge of what they offer and how they benefit us? Given the stressful lives that most of us lead, understanding, appreciating and utilising coaching skills is more important than ever before for achieving personal and business success, says Adil Sarkari, NSW Manager, Service Central, and President, WZCC – Australia.
I
n order to lift the shroud
of mystery and misunderstanding about ‘Management’ and ‘Coaching’ let us start by defining both. The term ‘management’ has a couple of senses: the act of managing something or those in charge of running a business. Mary Parker Follett, a well known management guru in the 19th century, defined Management, “As the art of getting things done through people.” Whereas, ‘Coaching’ is a way to direct, instruct and train individuals with the goal of achieving or developing specific skills which help them to enjoy greater success, less stress and better organisation. In fact, the term “coach” had its origin in the Hungarian word ‘kocsi‘ meaning “carriage” that was named after the village where it was first made. In 1830’s, the term coach implied to someone who is an ‘instructor’ or one who “carries” a student through an exam. Coaching, thus, has been used to describe the process to transport people from where they are to where they want to be. While personal and professional goals may overlap, business coaching differs from life coaching in that the focus is to provide support and guidance to improve the effectiveness of an individual’s or a group’s business in relation to issues such as: 56
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• Leadership • Accountability • Sales • Communication • Goal setting • Strategic planning
Unfortunately many companies do not take business coaching into consideration until they start facing problems and challenges. Only then do they call the corporate coach to ensure that the business continues to operate efficiently and effectively. However executive coaching is an extremely accessible and efficient learning method. It is not only an essential feature of management, it is also an art, which makes use of some underlying body of knowledge and focuses on getting something done. Coaches make something happen that presumably would not happen otherwise through the actions of others. Coaching helps both an employee and an organisation to accomplish their full potential. It also involves exploring an individual’s or a group’s wants, enthusiasm, requirements, training and thought processes and bringing about permanent changes in attitude and work ethics e.g. gaining self mastery, developing positive habits to achieve milestones, have a sense of humour, accept change, develop worklife balance, empathy, intuition and self awareness. Thirty-five years ago, whilst working in India, the paradigm of ‘control
and order’ was part of the ingrained culture, and any other management style was considered a sign of weakness. Times are changing and alternatives are starting to be accepted. Today, coaching has achieved great results and evolved to new levels. A good coach always employs questioning techniques to make his possible customers be the possessor of their reflection processes, so that they can recognise their own way of resolving difficulties and taking actions rather than a completely dictative approach. Further, a coach ropes his customers in preparing appropriate goals, developing steps and helps to evaluate developments in relation to those aims. There was a period where coaching was set aside for senior managers and company directors. However, now it is available to everyone as a professional/ personal development tool. Coaching focuses on the individuals and can improve self-esteem, enthusiasm, efficiency and reduce employee turnover as individuals feel valued and connected with organisational changes. This role may be provided by internal coaches and, increasingly, by external professional
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coaching agencies. There is also a growing tendency for individuals to take greater responsibility for their personal and professional development and even those who are employed in large organisations are no longer relying on employers to provide them with their career development needs. There has been a boost in the number of employees contracting coaches on a private basis. Coaching programmes in general prove to be popular amongst employees as coaching brings about a balance between rewarding organisational goals and objectives whilst taking into account the personal development needs of individual employees. It is a two-way relationship with both the organisation and the employee getting momentous paybacks.
By: Adil Sarkari MBA, J.P., Sydney, Australia
Congratulations SynergyZ extends its warmest congratulations to Dorab Erach Mistry on being awarded the ‘OBE’ in recognition of the pivotal role played by him in promoting Interfaith relations in the UK. Dorab has also rendered yeoman services to ZTFE and the Zoroastrian community for which we are truly grateful. To be included in the Queen’s birthday Honours list, is indeed an honor and a personal accomplishment and we share in his happiness and wish him and his family the best in the future while expressing the pride the global Zoroastrian community feels over this distinction.
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Education
More than just a degree of skill
A
rmed with a degree we
Keep in mind that education is not cheap. Many parents are putting in savings or endowment plans to plan for their children’s education. The estimated cost of a tertiary degree education is expected to be double or triple in 20 years time.�
venture forth to do battle in the real world, confident that the certificate of merit will be our armour and our sword. All too often the edge of that sword becomes blunted by the caprice of fate and the armour is pierced by a reality check. While there is no substitute for a good education in opening the door to great opportunity, by itself it becomes frail. To exploit it happily and positively, education needs the pillars of wisdom, enterprise, ingenuity and courage to do what has not been done before. It is a compass to the new frontier, whatever your discipline, but you must be ready to take the risk. For every Albert Einstein, there is a Bill Gates. For every Socrates, there will be a Steve Jobs. For every trained professional there will be an entrepreneur who will challenge the status quo. Education, therefore, does give you access but it offers you no guarantee that you will professionally touch the
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stars. On the contrary many of us come a cropper because we cannot grasp the fact that unless we put the pillars we will totter. Again, too many of us who belong to the Indian milieu, the concept of education is more Macaulayan and pedantic, bed rocked as it is in the regurgitation of facts and figures. This theoretical affection for the purely academic has often stopped the free thinker and created a two dimensional approach. That vital third dimension is entrepreneurship, that ability to be creative, pro-active and practical. If we can attain that combination our armour is so much stronger and less likely to be invaded. Now, we can take on the challenges that lie on the road to success. Success in life includes both the quantitative (financial ability, material well-being) and qualitative (mental and spiritual well-being) aspects. However, both are very much related to the success of a person in today’s increasingly pragmatic society.
In capsule, education still remains one of the main factors to success, although its significance is shifting from learning to experiencing! Let me now share a conundrum with you. Today, we live in a more interconnected world. There is no argument about that. With the creation of the Internet, information is made available and accessible to us easily. Thus, paradoxically the value of information has dropped significantly. There is no need to strive, it is parcelled and dropped on our doorstep. There is no longer a call for people who have the ability to store/remember information thanks to databanks, apps platforms, instant information from computers and the Internet. How do we harness this incredible resource and make it work for us? That is the question of the future. In addition, the focus is now more on creating a knowledge-based Economy where creativity and innovation are the keys to success. In view of this, many of the current education curriculums provided by schools will not be sufficient. For example, the education system in China and Singapore still focuses very much on the transfer of knowledge through textbooks and notes. This form of education allows less room for the growth of creativity and innovation. Thus, it is unlikely for a student to climb up high on the innovation ladder in his later stages of life as he or she may only be able to regurgitate what is in the notes but not able to apply the knowledge effectively. As such, the current form of education may not be able to equip students with the right keys to tap into new business opportunities and achieve success in life. India, too, has a huge vat of talent and skill sets but it has to move away from the purely academic rote system that curbs free thinking and creates assembly lined products sanitised of individuality.
Education has to change, it has to adapt and become more practical in its outlook. Traditional sciences of Maths, Economics, Law are no longer the most sought after career options, but areas such as Computer technology, Animation, Entertainment, Media and Creative studies have come to the forefront. Marketing Directors of Global MNC’s are as sought after as Chartered Accountants or Doctors. The old world is clearly making way for a paradigm shift in learning. No career options is looked down upon, each one has its own merits. Accept the fact and embrace it. Education has moved away from learning towards training, from books to skills. But do not get carried away with the sizzle because the steak is still reflected in the basic grounding and the discipline of the traditional classroom. You learn not only from the syllabus but also from your mistakes and it is this collective learning that forms the foundation for your future. Moreover, education allows people to be exposed to new opportunities which form an essential gateway to success. Through education, people will gain better knowledge and understanding of themselves and others. This opens up new working opportunities for them. For example, a degree nowadays will serve as a ‘passport’ to better working opportunities. There is another swiftly increasing dimension to the brain bank, so to speak. Access to education by women has also resulted in empowerment, allowing them to participate more in the corporate world, thus achieving better economic status and success for themselves. It should also be noted that any education system will evolve with time and responds to the needs of success. In the UAE, the education system has been revised many times to cater to the pragmatic needs of our society. This is evident in the introduction of new education zones due to the booming
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economy of this country. There is also more focus on the development of arts and culture. The range of facilities catering to different skills and disciplines is impressive and is the core of the training system. This offers opportunity and positioning as well as that very important element of job satisfaction, something we often forget as the forerunner of excellence. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi there are institutes set up in Knowledge Zone and Media Zone like EMDI, SAE, & Twofour54 who offer short courses. In a world where change is the only constant, the old fashioned educational systems may take time to adjust. But adjust they must if they have to stay valid. Therefore, it should be recognized that to succeed in life today, one not only needs education, but also new training, experiential learning and working ethics in order to achieve success. Keep in mind that education is not cheap. Many parents are putting in savings or endowment plans to plan for their children’s education. The estimated cost of a tertiary degree education is expected to be double or triple in 20 years time. Therefore, there must be dividends at the end of the investment. The past is the past. The networking and the old boys’ exclusivity of yesterday is no longer on the table. While bloodlines can tip the scales they do not guarantee anything. You have to be good and you have to deliver…that is the pedigree measure for tomorrow.
By: Nowshir Engineer Managing Director, EMDI Institute of Media and Communication December, 2013
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Business
The UAE– An attractive destination for the global businesses
T
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UAE’s
economy
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grown considerably since the country was created by seven Gulf Emirates in 1971. It is a fact that some of the emirates of the UAE are blessed with massive reserves of oil and gas, but these alone have not been the means to ensure stability, security, peace, progress and prosperity achieved by the UAE over an incredibly short span of time. The country’s massive oil wealth has been used to finance massive infrastructure development projects and the Government is continuing its ongoing economic diversification drive to guard the economy against unpredictable oil exports earnings, attain substantial growth and ensure jobs for its citizens. The UAE’s dramatic growth in a span of less than four decades owes much to the exceptional vision and wisdom of its Rulers, who could perceive things much ahead of time and plan accordingly. There are many options open to 60
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international companies seeking to establish business with the UAE. Apart from forming a trading relationship through commercial agencies, for many companies there are distinct advantages in having an on-thespot presence. This makes it easier to research market prospects, make contacts, liaise with customers and see through the details of any transactions and orders secured. Having a presence is also important in the context of the commercial culture of the Middle East. Businessmen in the region prefer to deal with someone they know and trust and personal relationship is generally more important in doing business in the region. The UAE presents international businesses with a wide range of opportunities for different activities and operations. The incentives include: • Free enterprise system; • No personal or withholding taxes
on income or capital, no value added tax (VAT), corporate tax only limited to foreign banks and foreign oil companies; • No foreign exchange controls and a stable, freely convertible currency; • Sophisticated Services sector – major international hotels, banks, accountancy and legal firms, advertising agencies, consultants etc; • State of the art infrastructure and facilities; • A key centre in the global transport, logistics and distribution system; • Major regional conference and exhibition venue; • Time zone bridge between the Far East and Europe; • Leading centre for tourism and leisure activities in the Middle East;
requirements, a minimum of fiftyone per cent participation by UAE National(s) is mandatory for all UAE – established companies except: • Entities set up in the various Free Zones; • Foreign companies registering branches or representative offices in the UAE (provided a UAE National Agent is appointed in accordance with provisions of the law); • Civil/Professional entities where 100% foreign ownership is permitted subject to their complying with the relevant local laws and regulations; and • Offshore/International companies set up under regulations issued by various Free Zones.
• Cosmopolitan lifestyle, tolerant, virtually crime-free environment. The basic requirement for all business activity in the UAE is to secure one of the following three categories of licenses: • Commercial licenses covering all kinds of trading activity; • Industrial licenses for establishing industrial or manufacturing activity; • Professional licenses covering professions, services, craftsmen and artisans; One of the important aspects of doing business in the UAE is the legal structure. In the past, each Emirate followed its own procedures governing the operations of foreign business interests. However, since 1984, steps have been taken to introduce a codified companies’ law applicable throughout the UAE known as the “Commercial Companies Law”. With
regard
to
The Free Zone entities are normally used for doing business within the Free Zone or Overseas. There are number of Free Zones in the UAE of which some of the Free Zones are specific business/ industry oriented zones and others are suitable for wider activities. The Free Zones normally provide benefits like: • 100% foreign ownership; • No personal income taxes and no corporate taxes for 25-50 years, a concession that is renewable; • 100% repatriation of capital and profits; • No currency restrictions; • Full exemption of import duties on goods used in re-export trade and for industrial purposes; • ‘One-stop-shop’ administration services for license approvals and visa matters; An entity in the Free Zone can be established either as (a) Branch office of a foreign company or a company registered in the UAE or (b) Free Zone Establishment (FZE) which is a single shareholder company or (c) Free Zone Company (FZC) which is a multi shareholder company.
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Some of the Free Zones in the UAE have introduced provisions for establishment of offshore/international companies. Such companies are required to have a registered agent approved by the respective Free Zone Authority. The offshore companies do not require an office space and the office address of the registered agent is used as the registered office address of the offshore companies. No UAE resident visas are granted for the employees/directors. A bank account can be opened with some of the banks in the UAE. Such companies are also not allowed to carry on any business with the persons/ companies’ resident in the UAE. The choice of appropriate structure for establishment of presence in the UAE requires consideration for various factors such as nature of activities, target market and area of coverage, requirements for infrastructure and facilities (office size, number of visas etc.), location preference, if any, and annual operating costs. In the final analysis, it is clear that the gulf region is a growing and attractive market in the world for investment and business and the UAE has all the factors to be the prime choice for foreign investors.
About: Priyesh Kapadia, is a Partner and Head of Advisory Services in BDO’s UAE office. He has been an advisor to number of corporate groups to formulate the business structure for establishment of their presence in the UAE. BDO is a worldwide network of public accounting firms, called BDO Member Firms. BDO is the fifth largest such network in the world.
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Bollywood
Parsi Pioneers &
The heir apparents of Bollywood
A
S BOLLYWOOD CELEBRATED 100 YEARS OF THE TALKIES, barely a thought was spared for the two
Parsis -- Ardeshir Irani and Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy (JJ) Madan – who gave Indian audiences their first talking films in Hindi. Sohrab Mody, who turned the historical genre into popular cinema, was known to draw crowds with his dialogue delivery. Each time you see Akshay Kumar pull off a stunt sequence who remembers the Wadia Brothers who regaled audiences with Nadia’s fearless stunts? The now generation of Parsis too are making their mark. Among the commercial successes in 2012, two were Parsicentric - Ferrari ki Sawaari and Shirin Farhad Ki Nikal Padi. Coincidentally, Boman Irani led the cast for both, which included several fellow Parsi actors.
Sohrab Modi
THE PIONEERS Ardeshir Irani came out of Bombay’s Excelsior Cinema having watched Universal Pictures’ Show Boat; and resolved to make India’s first talkingsinging film. Alam Ara had 55 songs (!) six of them hits, mostly sung by Zubeida, the leading lady. ‘De de khuda ke naam pe pyaare…’ became an instant rage among beggars. Advertised as “an All Living, Breathing 100 per cent Talking Drama…” it released on March 14, 1931, at Bombay’s Majestic Cinema which witnessed a virtual stampede, the police were summoned. Cashing in on the demand, four-anna tickets were sold for five rupees! After watching Warner Brothers’ Jazz Singer, in New York, JJ Madan was so overwhelmed, that he decided to launch a talkie on his return to India. Clueless about Alam Ara, JJ Madan visited Hollywood to understand the logistics of making a talkie. In fact, Madan Theatres had been the first to release a talkie in India - Universal Studio’s Melody of Love in 1929 at Calcutta’s Elphinstone Picture Palace. So JJ Madan’s Shirin Farhaad was the second talkie film to be released in India, on May 30, 1931. Produced by Madan Theatres of Calcutta and directed by JJ Madan himself. It had 18 songs. 62
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THE LEGEND When Sohrab Modi sought his principal’s vocational guidance, the latter advised: “With a voice like yours, you should either become a politician or an actor.”During a screening of Sheesh Mahal at Minerva Theatre, Bombay, Sohrab Modi noticed a man sitting in the front row with his eyes closed. Offended by the man’s audacity, he asked an attendant to return his money and show him out. The employee returned, saying that he was blind, but had come just to hear Sohrab Modi’s dialogues! Sohrab Modi’s USP was his voice, and Urdu fluency. Modi admitted that he grew up with an acute dislike for history. Ironically, with his trilogy of historical spectaculars - Pukar, Sikandar and Prithvi Vallabh, Sohrab Modi made the genre popular, as he reinterpreted history for a modern audience. As an actor, Modi capitalized on his gift for eloquence, and as a filmmaker he encapsulated the grandeur of Indian history. Mirza Ghalib not only pulled him out of the woods, but earned him the President’s Gold Medal for Best Feature Film of 1954. In 1980, Sohrab Modi was the 10th recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
THE MOPPETS Daisy Irani and Honey Irani The Golden Age of Hindi cinema was between 1950s to1970s. It was because of some the most beautiful films were made during the period; it was also the era of the finest child stars that contributed in no small measure to make it so. The Irani sisters, Daisy Irani and Honey Irani, became household names and the films, which had both these sisters, fetched
the biggest openings. Stories were re-written to include them in the cast or increase their footage in the films and they were prominently publicized in the promos of their movies. While Daisy continues to act in films and TV serials; Honey, on the other hand, has staked a place as a script writer. Her credits include Armaan which she also directed.
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THE ICONOCLASTS Ronnie Screwvala
THE ORIGINAL STUNT QUEEN
The Wadia Brothers - JBH and Homi steered a new course from their master shipbuilder ancestors with Wadia Movietone in 1933, now in its 80th year. Their seminal films were those featuring their protégé Nadia (Mary Evans) the persona of Hunterwali, a daredevil, masked woman with a whip. She later married Homi Wadia who also directed her in the cult stunt film Hunterwali. Nadia performed her amazing action sequences herself, thereby endearing herself to audiences. This writer witnessed Nadia’s fan following when at a festival of Nadia’s films to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Wadia Movietone senior citizens went up to the aged actress for autographs! Diamond Queen (currently under restoration) is a seminal stunt film and the credit is equally shared by both Nadia and Master, and John Cawas her partners in thrills.
Newsweek has called him the Jack Warner of India. Ronnie Screwvala has set quite a few new benchmarks. From a cable operator to a media giant, Ronnie Screwvala has not only reached the pinnacle of success, but also struggled to survive in the entertainment industry. Ranked 78th among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine, Fortune Magazine placed him among their Asia’s 25 Most Powerful. UTV which he founded with Zarina Mehta and Deven Khote was a pioneering independent production house: they produced a quiz show for Doordarshan, gave India her first ever reality show ‘Saanp Seedi’, and then the first afternoon daily soap opera ‘Shanti’. UTV’s film arm is more of the same story. Their films aren’t just box office successes, but also content heavy, and this sets them apart from the rest. Movies like Rang De Basanti and Jodhaa-Akbar proved to be commercial blockbusters which took UTV Motion Pictures to new heights. Having co-produced films like The Namesake, Ronnie Screwvala has been responsible for the growing associations with Hollywood and the global market.
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Bollywood
Shiamak Davar A dancer - choreographer actor-singer of immeasurable talent, Shiamak Davar’s tryst with Bollywood began with Dil To Pagal Hai, for which he won the President’s National Award. Having changed the way dance was perceived in Indian films, he has choreographed for several Bollywood films including Dhoom 2 (which sets audiences rocking in their seats) and Taare Zameen Par. He even choreographed for Hollywood’s Mission Impossible 4 with Tom Cruise. For his last film, Jooth Bole Kauwa Kaate, Hrishikesh Mukherji turned to Shiamak for the title sequence – which he sang and enacted. A regular judge with India’s television reality shows including Jhalak Dikhla Ja (Dancing with the Stars). Shiamak is the first Indian to introduce Contemporary Jazz and western forms of dances to thousands across India through SDIPA, the largest dance education movement. SDIPA with its motto: Have Feet Will Dance has reached out to millions of dance enthusiasts across Canada, Australia, the UAE and U K. If this doesn’t make Shiamak Davar an icon for global cultural exchange, what does?
APRO HERO John Abraham
Bollywood’s most loved hunk and a wonderful human being; John Abraham has a Parsi mother who named him Farhan and a Malayali father who named him John. 64
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He loves his dhansak (his Mum’s), though he’s vegetarian by choice and supports animal rights. Last year, John Abraham turned producer with Vicky Donor, an off-beat RomCom. A commercial success, it was also one of the most awarded films of 2012; which included the National Film Award for the Best Popular Film providing Wholesome Entertainment. His revolutionary good looks, macho body and charismatic smile made him the highest-paid supermodel in India. He made his film debut in an unlikely erotic and emotional Jism. His early films hiccupped out of the theatres till Dhoom, a blockbuster where he played the antihero, happened. He studied the Quran in translation to prepare himself to play an NRI Muslim in Kabir Khan’s New York, a performance which earned him sobriquets. Force, his solo film, was an unexpected success.
TURNING POINT Boman Irani One of India’s most consummate actors, there are very few blockbusters where the credits don’t mention Boman Irani. For this photographer turned actor, acting had been a passion. With successful plays like I’m not Bajirao and Gandhi V/s Gandhi behind him; Boman Irani grabbed attention as Dr Asthana in the blockbusting comedy Munnabhai MBBS which earned him the Screen Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. His awards sweep performance was as Virus in 3 Idiots which earned him the Star Screen Award for Best Villain, Filmfare’s Best Supporting Actor Award and IIFA’s Best Villain Award. Although his performance as Jahangir Hayaat Khan in Yash Chopra’s Veer Zaara wasn’t an award winner, he must be credited for his impeccable Urdu dialogue delivery. He read out his lines to his Urdu speaking driver, who would correct his diction, etc. Now also a show host and anchor, Boman Irani’s dining table has one more actor – his younger son Kaiyoze Irani who made a noticeable debut with Karan Johar’s Student of the Year.
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Sooni Taraporevala
Shernaz Patel
She wears many hats – a photographer, scriptwriter and now a director. Her directorial debut Little Zizou has been widely acclaimed and won the National Award for Best Film on Family Values, the Audience Choice Award at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles among others. Her early claim to fame was as the screenwriter of the Oscar-nominated Salaam Bombay directed by Mira Nair. Her other scripts include Nair’s ‘The Namsake’, Sturla Gunnarson’s ‘Such a Long Journey’ based on Rohinton Mistry’s book and Dr. Jabbar Patel’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Daughter of theatre veterans Ruby and Burjor Patel, Shernaz Patel continues the family’s theatre tradition with RAGE, which she co-founded with writer-director Rahul da Cunha and actor Rajit Kapur. Though theatre is her home turf, she is equally comfortable on screen and has worked in notable Bollywood films like Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Black’ and ‘Guzaarish’, the latter earned her the Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her other credits include, Sooni Taraporevala ‘s ‘Little Zizou’, the newest blockbuster starring Aamir Khan, ‘Talaash’and Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Rockstar’.
CHARACTER DRIVEN Mahbanoo Mody-Kotwal
About:
She has power to grab eyeballs the minute she walks into a room or onto the stage or screen, that’s Mahbanoo ModyKotwal. Stand-up artiste, actor, director and producer all rolled into one. She introduced India to Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues. Her cinema credits include both Indian and international - Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black; ‘Merchant Ivory’s Cotton Mary’, Sturla Gunnarsson’s ‘Such A Long Journey’, Sooni Taraporevala’s ‘Little Zizou’, and most recently, a Bollywood Rom-Com Bela Bhansali Sehgal’s ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Nikal Padi.’
Piroj Wadia is a journalist, film reviewer (both Hindi and International) and copy consultant of long standing. A former Assistant Editor with Cine Blitz, The Daily and TV & Video World, she has written extensively on television and films for Screen, Indian Express & Deccan Chronicle. Other papers she writes for are Midday, Afternoon Despatch & Courier, JameJamshed Weekly and One India One People. She has served on the jury for the ITA awards; and IDPA awards. She is currently researching on Parsis in Cinema which combines her passion for films and her wanting to leave behind a legacy for her community as a book. December, 2013
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WZCC AGM
WZCC AGM 2012 iii) Mr. Hoshi Deboo, President, Asia Pacific and Japan, Esko-Singapore. iv) Mr. Dorab Mistry, Director, Godrej International Ltd. & Godrej International Trading & Investment Ltd., U.K.
WZCC Annual Meet-Singapore WZCC once again excelled at the grand event in Singapore, which took place at the reputed Hotel Marina Mandarin, on 4th January, 2013.
T
he Annual General Meeting was a gathering of the Global Zarathushti diaspora. The overall atmosphere was one of optimism. The Speakers highlighted the immense opportunities available to our community youth in diverse areas of businesses and professions. In his opening address, the Global President, Mr. Minoo Shroff, eloquently spoke on the credo of WZCC “Industry and Integrity”. He stressed that these are the quintessential qualities of our Zarathushti community which have stood the test of time and have been the bedrock of success of Zarathushti enterprises. Given his wide experience and sound judgment, he counseled the youth never to stop learning. He countered the oft-repeated question that is raised - “what is in it for me” for becoming a member and participating in activities of bodies like ours. He emphasized that the very essence of learning is through net-working. Besides, those who have achieved success in life should in turn ask the question “what can I do to contribute”. This can be done only by seniors sharing their invaluable experience and thus empowering the younger generation to fulfill their aspirations. He elaborated on the huge opportunities for trade and investments in South East Asia
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and other emerging countries. The centre of gravity of global business is rapidly shifting to the East with China and India being in the vanguard. We should grapple it. Mr. Rohinton Rivetna, the founder President of WZCC gave a brief background of the formation of WZCC. This Organization which completed 12 years of its fruitful existence has now grown and has served the needs of our Community. If the businesses grow, the Community grows. He further mentioned that the business of business is business and business and professionalism always go together; for the overall benefit of the Society. Mr. Rustom Engineer, Global VicePresident, brought the “Economic Forum” on the scene and introduced the Panel Moderator, Mr. Neville Shroff, who specially flew from Hong Kong. Mr. Neville Shroff, Chairman and CEO of Shroff & Co. Ltd. then introduced the following Panel Members i) Mr. Kai Taraporevala, Founder & MD, Tethys Ventures, Singapore. ii) Mr. Rajeev DeMello, Head of Asian Fixed Income, Schroders Investment Management Singapore.
Elaborating further the business scenario, Mr. Neville Shroff emphasized the importance of new and upcoming countries, namely, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Vietnam according to him is just about 15 to 20 years behind China. Cambodia is growing but has limited capabilities. Laos has pro-business Government there and has lowest labor cost. Myanmar is a promising new market and investment opportunities there are plenty. However, he clarified that it would be better to do business through Singapore Banks. He elucidated that Hong Kong is the biggest competition to Singapore. The freest economy is Hong Kong and the easiest economy to operate in is Singapore. The simplicity of Tax system is enjoyed by Hong Kong; and Hong Kong is the most corruption free country. Although Singapore has a young talented population, Asia’s world city is Hong Kong. Singapore is the preferred International Business Centre in the Region and Hong Kong is preferable to do business in China. Mr. Kai Taraporevala then gave a very interesting in-depth view of doing business in ASEAN Countries. According to him – Risks, challenges and opportunities are huge. Very productive and young labor force exists in these countries, infrastructure is improving and manufacturing, service industry together with Agriculture and Community businesses are growing. He further emphasized that one has to consider important factors like the concerned Culture, Selection of Local Partner, Politics and the relevant Rules and Regulations. He strongly advised that under no circumstances one should indulge in corruption; just do NOT do it he said; and that one should have tremendous patience as long term benefits are many. Mr. Rajeev DeMello then succinctly mentioned that Asia is strong in a weak
Minoo Shroff
Neville Shroff
global Environment. There is high saving rate in Asia and moreover, Asia has a large yield advantage over US, Europe and Japan. Mr. Hosi Deboo narrated the importance of doing business in Singapore as he mentioned that Singapore is rated No.1 in the world for ease of doing business. He gladly stated that it takes just about one to two days to incorporate a company in Singapore. Mr. Dorab Mistry then emphasized the growth and opportunities of business in the areas of Agri-commodities. Singapore, according to him, is still the focal point. “Godrej” invested in Vietnam as a Singaporean Company. Over the years, WZCC has spotted Outstanding Old and Young individuals in our Community who have meritoriously excelled in their chosen field of activities and have recognized their contribution. In 2012, following achievers were appropriately lauded by our Community in the presence of members coming from different parts of the world. These notable Awardees were: a) Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneurs of the Year 2012: i) Ms. Homai Engineer, Chairperson & MD, Industrial Boilers Ltd. and co-winner ii) Capt. Percy Meher Master, Founder Chairman & MD of Master Group of Cos.
Russi Ghadiali
b) Outstanding Zarathushti Professional of the Year 2012: i)
Mr. Bomi Bhote, Chief Executive Officer, Grant Medical Foundation’s Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune.
c) Outstanding Young Zarathushti Professional of the Year 2012: i) Dr. Zuleika Homavazir, Head of Department of Management Studies, Wilson College Mr. Russi Ghadially, one of the successful early settlers in Singapore and the ExPresident of the Parsi Zoroastrian Association of Singapore gave a vivid historical review of how Parsis played a significant role in the growth and development of Singapore. This was most revealing. He further added that Singapore has world’s best labor force and high quality of life. Mr. Sanjiv Misra, President – Phoenix Advisers Pte. Ltd. in his valedictory speech mentioned how and why Singapore achieved growth and prosperity. Singapore according to him is the Wealth Capital of the World. TATA Organization has a huge presence in Singapore. Singapore has industry with a deep rooted Integrity in all spheres of life. It has Safety, Transparency, high degree of Hygiene and excellent financial security. Singapore plays a significant role in the ASEAN countries and is now a significant Economic Power of consequence. He went further and said that while China operates
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more like a country, India operates more as a Federation of States. However, according to him one cannot afford to ignore India. All said and done, according to Mr. Misra, Singapore is currently facing several challenges. The economic growth rate has slowed down, it has rising inflation, costs are rising, it has a declining human fertility rate and of late, they have placed restraints on foreigners. However, he is still of the view that he will bet on Singapore; and while doing so, he would prefer to follow few basic principles. He said – do not risk a lot, do not risk more than you can afford to lose and think of having a local Partner when you do business in Singapore. Mrs. Homai Engineer, while accepting the Award mentioned that the basic precept on which her business is based is “Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds.” Capt. Percy Master emphasized the importance of “Quality” in business. He proudly mentioned that “our strength lies in Quality we offer and that too consistently”. Mr. Bhote while accepting the Award gladly mentioned that he would cherish the same forever. He proudly mentioned that at the Ruby Hospital in Pune, treatments worth 2 million US dollars are given free of cost every single year and moreover, no one knows who is the “free patient”. Dr. Zuleika Homavazir emphasized the importance of ‘Honesty and Integrity’ and happily declared that this Award bestowed on her, honors her Integrity. Ms Behroze Daruwalla, Secretary – International Board of WZCC, proposed a comprehensive vote of thanks. She commended the very informative and lively presentations by all the Speakers, which made the proceedings both enlightening and enjoyable. Above all, she commended the fine sense of fellowship displayed by all those present which made participation such an enriching experience.
Text Courtesy – Parsi Times Picture Courtesy - WZCC Mumbai
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WZCC Awards
Sam Balsara, MD Madison World presenting the Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 (Co-winner) Award to Capt. Percy Master, Founder Chairman, Master Group of Companies.
brief profiles Capt. Percy Master Founder Chairman & Managing Director, Master Group of Companies A Master Mariner and an alumini of Training Ship Dufferin, Capt. Percy M Master is a true stalwart of the maritime industry, with nearly four decades of experience at sea, shore and as an entrepreneur. After close to two decades with the Scindia Steam Navigation Co., he founded the Master Group of Companies and has guided its emergence as a leading player in the Maritime & Logistics sector. The Master Group has revolutionized the marine cargo and survey business in India which is the backbone of the operations of all shipping lines. The Master Group continues to set new bench marks in the Ship Agency, Logistics & Supply Chain sectors and has also diversified in to the Hydro Power Industry in its quest for continued growth. Capt. Master is determined to continue to steer the fortunes of the Group towards more innovative avenues.
Homai Engineer Chairperson & Managing Industrial Boilers Ltd. (IBL). 68
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Director of
Minoo R. Shroff, Global President, WZCC presenting the Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Award to Ms Homai Engineer, Chairperson, Industrial Boilers, Vapi.
Homai Engineer is a woman par excellence who strongly believes in the adage - “Cling to your dreams and do not allow them to wane. Success will eventually follow”. Despite the lack of formal technical education, Homai Engineer handles the production at the IBL plant in Vapi. Her boundless, enthusiasm, dedication and hard work, are the main ingredients to her success in this business. She tackles each and every area of the Industrial Organization, with diligence and finances with great prudence. Her emphasis on quality of product and commitments has paid rich dividends. Understanding the industrial growth of India versus the acute power shortage she set up a Steam Turbine manufacturing plant in North India. Today both the factories complement each other in giving complete energy and environment solutions to the industry, making it the first company in the private sector to offer steam boiler and micro steam turbine under a single point guarantee. Today IBL offers under one roof complete energy and environment solutions such as boiler, turbines, pollution control equipments, water treatment plants and energy recovery solutions. “Service is our motto, our experience is your guarantee”. Her strength emanates from her two sons - Rohinton Engineer and Cyrus Engineer – who are the Directors of the Company.
Today IBL, along with IB-Turbo is the only company in the range to manufacture both boilers and turbines for complete power cogeneration projects which are most energy efficient and least polluting boilers. Apart from her work, Homai Engineer is passionately involved in the women’s wings of two organizations: the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) and the National Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (NAYE). She has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including the National Productivity Council’s Productivity Award for Small Scale Units from the Industries Minister, N. D. Tiwari.
DR. ZULEIKA FIRDOSH HOMAVAZIR Zuleika Homavazir completed her schooling at the Gloria Convent High School, Byculla. She then obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Management Studies from the coveted Wilson College in 2004 and earned the prestigious ‘Sir Dorabji Tata Merit Scholarship Prize’ for excelling at academics. At Pfizer India Ltd. in 2004, Zuleika held positions of coordinating business projects and simultaneously earned a Masters degree in Commerce from Mumbai University in 2006 and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management in 2007 from ISBM.
Rajeev De Mello, Director, Schroders Asia, presenting the Outstanding Zarathushti Young Professional of the Year 2012 Award to Dr. Zuleika Homavazir.
Bomi Bhote Chief Executive Officer, Grant Medical Foundation’s Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune. won the Outstanding Zarathushti Professional of the Year 2012 Award
In 2006, at Novartis India Ltd., she held dual strategic managerial positions managing Credit Control and Human Resource at pan India level and was awarded ‘The Learning Agility Award’. In Nov, 2007 she served Holcim South- Asia IT Services Ltd. and was awarded ‘The Best Employee Award’.
recognition of dedication, devotion and services rendered in the field of education by the Lions Club International.
Zuleika’s zeal to teach, brought her to Wilson College in 2008 as a Lecturer for Management Studies, was promoted as Head of Department and earned a Doctorate in Management in 2009. Often referred as the Iron Lady, her Department has been ranked 4th best in the country and 2nd best in Mumbai as per ranking by ‘India Today’ in June 2012.
In February this year, she was felicitated by Dr. V.J. Sirwaiya, Hon’ble Secretary and Principal, The John Wilson Education Society for her contribution to the student and the teaching fraternity.
Her brainchild ‘HOPE’ (Help Our People Elevate) is a philanthropic event directed towards upbringing the less fortunate people in our society. She has been closely working with Jeevan Asha – an old age home and Bal Bhavan- a girl’s orphanage home to better their lives. Her exemplary efforts have been greatly appreciated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra- Shri Prithviraj Chouhan, our Home Minister - Shri R.R. Patil and by the Minister of Technical and Higher Education- Mr. Rajesh Tope and she was awarded Certificates of Excellence. In September 2012, she was awarded the Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Award in
In January this year, she received ‘The Outstanding Young Zarathushti Professional of the Year’ Award at the AGM of WZCC at Singapore.
Bomi Bhote Bomi Bhote is the Chief Executive Officer, of Ruby Hall Clinic. A Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani, he proceeded to earn a degree in International Trade in Rotterdam, Holland in 1985, for which, he was awarded a scholarship by the World Trade Organization (WTO). In 1986, The Indian Government honored Bomi Bhote with “Bharat Gaurav” for his invaluable contribution towards international trade.
working for 8 years with GE, in the year 1997, he took charge of Ruby Hall Clinic as their Chief Executive Officer. Since then, Ruby Hall from a 150 bedded nursing home, has expanded to an internationally recognized 550 bedded multi specialty hospital. Under his guidance and support Ruby Hall had a lot of “firsts” in the city, state and country like the first Image Guided Radiotherapy and PET Scan in India. A nominee for “Administrator of the Year” by GE Healthcare Awards, he set up an 8 storied state of the art cancer centre for which he received a shield from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India. He has also set up a nursing college. He has assured Ruby Hall’s national and international recognition through NABH & NABL Accreditation and awards like “Best company to work for: by Economic Times. Ruby Hall Clinic received national award for Best Medical Tourism Facility in India. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil handed over the award, conferred by the union tourism ministry, on February 29, 2012 at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. ____________
Bomi Bhote started his professional career with TELCO in 1975 as a management trainee. He worked with Telco for 15 years before joining General Electric (GE) as a Vice President for their operations in India. After December, 2013
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With best wishes from
World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, Pune Chapter Committee Members : Chairman:
Viraf Deboo
Vice Chairman:
Umeed Kothavala
Ex – Chairman:
Adi Engineer
Treasurer: Tehmasp Bharucha Secretary:
Khushru Minocherhomji
Jt. Secretary:
Vistasp Dastur
Accounts:
Rohinton Udachia
Member:
Farokh Irani
Member:
Mahrukh Bharucha
E-mail: wzccpune@gmail.com
Fashion
Saree
The six yards of grace
When you think of the Indian woman, you automatically think of the saree and it is as reminiscent of this country as is the Taj Mahal. Be it the cheerful vibes at traditional affairs or the commanding looks at a fashion gala, a saree conveys it all at its best. It has captured the world’s imagination and is no longer simply an Indian phenomenon.
In the history of Indian clothing, the saree is traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished during 2800 –1800 BC around the western part of the Indian subcontinent. The earliest known depiction of the saree is the statue of an Indus Valley priest wearing a drape. The word Saree is derived from Sanskrit “sai” which means ‘strip of cloth’. This unstitched cloth ranging from four to nine yards in length gives women a unique identity. There are more than 80 recorded ways to wear a sari. The Nivi is today’s most popular sari style, and then there are others styles like the Bengali, Orissa, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Maharashtrian and Konkani. The saree made its first international debut, in the ‘50’s, when Valentino created the saree dress. Since then, the saree has ruled the international red carpet and has even made several appearances in Hollywood films. Back in India, Bollywood chronicled the changing face of the Indian saree with simple hand crafted cottons back in 1960’s, giving way to shimmering sequins, heavy embroidery and of course the eternal song and dance attire. Every region, therefore, brings forward a trunk full of sarees; each with a formidable identity and strong social cultural influence. Each saree tells you something about that region, about the community that made it, and even about the sort of geography of that place. For example the art of Kantha sarees has been kept alive by women from West Bengal. Using a needle and thread these women narrate their dreams and desires. In Banaras, the credit for introducing brocade weaving goes to the Aryans. Real gold and silver threads were used at that time, to make brocade which was worn exquisitely by royalty. Similarly, the silk saree tradition of Kanchipuram, a temple town in Tamil Nadu, goes back to the 3rd century B.C when the Pallava dynasty ruled the territory. The handcrafted tradition is based on strong contrast colors with stark golden integrated weaves known as zaree. In most households of Kanchipuram, weaving is a family enterprise a skill and technique handed down from one generation to another. There are two small rivers flowing from the outskirts of Kanchipuram. One river is known as Palar, the other is known as Vegavathy. From those days onwards till today the people use only that river water for bleaching and coloring the silk. 72
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In Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Bandhani is a popular saree. Bandhani got its name from the word ‘baandh’ which means a ‘knot’. A plain piece of cloth in muslin or cloth is tied and then dyed. If one has to check the quality of the Bandhani saree, the smaller the dots and circles the more fine quality is the saree. Likewise, the Parsis who settled on the west coast of India, specifically Gujarat, were master weavers of tanchoi, which
got its name from the three (tan) Joshi brothers of Surat, who went to China to learn this art from the master weaver Choi. However, the most distinctive item of the Parsi women’s clothing is the gara, a sari embroidered with exotic Chinese patterns – pagodas, pavilions, bridges, peonies, bamboos, peacocks and phonixes – executed mainly in monochromatic white on brightly colored silks. The garas today are treasured as heirlooms to be proudly worn on special occasions and consciously preserved to be passed on to the next generation. Latterly a new stimulus has come from the UNESCOsupported Parzor Foundation. Among its many initiatives, Parzor has been endeavoring to preserve and promote the old Parsi embroidery and holding workshops and exhibitions. However, enterprising entrepreneurs are fashioning a modern look to the garas by modifying patterns and creating new ones, incorporating innovations like the application of Swarovski crystals, sequins and spangles, seed pearls and beads on Chinese inspired designs, thus broadening the overall appeal. While textile and emb roidery has long association with Gujarat, for centuries the main device used by artisans is the Karchob (scroll frame), a traditional,
horizontal wooden frame to create a spectrum of embroideries in India. To keep up with the changing times, designer Asif Shaikh has modified the karchob (scroll frame) and turned the craft into fashion statement. For the past ten years he has been reviving the Kutchi design using Ari (chain stitch) on Karchob. One can see his
Karchob penchant in the pieces made on silk, georgette and chiffon available at his studio in Ambawadi, Ahmedabad. His clientele boasts of gharanas of India. The turning point in Asif’s career came when Victoria and Albert Museum invited him to London to revive some of the pieces of the Kutchi embroidery. Asif holds exhibitions in various parts of the world and is invited to speak at prestigious seminars on textile. Whether it’s traditional or a modern avatar, the sari never fails. It is interesting that the garment that goes back to the Indus valley civilization still has the ability to reinvent itself. ____________ December, 2013
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ALBAJ ENGINEERING CORPORATION PVT. LTD. AN ISO 9001 : 2008 COMPANY Manufacturers of all types of Steam Boilers & accessories. Design, supply and fabrication of Piping Installations for process industries, on turnkey basis, for all types of IBR and NON-IBR piping. Specialized fabricators in S.S. & C.S., for coded Pressure vessels, Heat exchangers, economizers, super-heaters, Chimneys, Skids, Base frames, Air Receivers, LPG & Propane bullets, and Oil & Gas installations at site, with approval of C.C.O.E., Nagpur. Skid Mounted packages, for all services.
Pune: 340, Clover Centre, ‘D’ Wing, Moledina Road, Pune 411 001 Tel: 91 (20) 26133018 / 26113875 Fax: 91 (20) 26137255 e-mail: albaj@vsnl.net Plant: S-22/23, ‘T’ Block, M. I. D. C., Bhosari, Pune 411 026 Tel: 91 (20) 2712 2560 / 2712 2946 Fax: 91(20) 2712 8668 e-mail : adminplant@albaj.com
Health and food
Flavors of India Ingredients: Basmati Rice Mutton Milk Yoghurt Onions Ginger paste Garlic paste Green chilli paste Tomato puree Red chilli powder Turmeric powder Cumin powder Garam Masala Saffron Coriander powder Coriander leaves Salt Oil
Mutton Biryani
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Two cups 1 Kg cut into pieces 1/3 cup 1/3 cup 3 sliced ½ tsp ½ tsp ½ tsp ½ cup 1 tsp ½ tsp 1tsp ½ tsp A pinch 1tsp 2tsp To taste 7tbsp
Method: • Mix tomato puree, yoghurt, ginger, garlic paste, green chilli paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, roasted cumin powder, garam masala and salt. Stir well • Marinate the mutton with this mixture and keep aside for three to four hours. • Heat oil in a pan. Fry onions well golden brown • Add the marinated mutton and cook for 10 minutes • Pour four cups of water to the rice. Mix saffron in milk and add to it • Sprinkle cardamom power before adding the mutton pieces to the rice • Pressure-cook the rice mixture and mix gently • Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
Ingredients: Mutton with bone Feied onion Ginger Farlic Yoghurt Kashmiri chilli powder Turmeric powder Ghee Butter Bay leaves Cardamoms Cashew nuts Mace powder Cardimom powder Kasoori Methi Salt
Handi Ghosht
Ingredients: 1 tin condensed milk 1 tin evaporated milk Eggs Vanilla essence Cardamom powder Sugar
200gms 200gms 2 nos (whipped properly) ½ tsp ½ tsp 2tsp
Method: • Mix the condensed milk and evaporated milk in a bowl and add the whipped eggs, cardamom powder and vanilla essence • Take a medium size stainless steel bowl
• • • • • • • •
300gms 100gms 20 gms 20gms 30gms 30gms 10gms 50ml 30gms 10gms 10gms 50 gms 5gms 5gms 2gms 20gms
Place the bowl on the stove. Put sugar and caramelize it on slow fire Pour the milk and eggs mixture into the bowl and close the lid Place the closed stainless steel bowl in the pressure cooker Put trivet at the bottom. Add 2 glasses of water Steam the custard for at least half an hour or until set Remove the bowl and cool the custard Turn the bowl upside down on a flat serving plate Put the serving plate in the refrigerator. Serve chilled.
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Method: • Heat ghee and butter in a pot and add bay leaves cardamom along with fried onion • Add ginger and garlic paste and sauté for two minutes. • Add mutton and sauté for 10 minutes after which add chilli powder, turmeric powder and yoghurt • Once the mutton is half done add cashew paste • Cook the gravy till the mutton is tender • Finally add cardamom powder mace powder and kasoori methi powder serve hot.
Caramel Custard
Mixed Fruit Chaat Ingredients: Mixed fruits (Banana, Grapes, apples, pineapple etc.) 150gms Chaat Masala 1tbsp Lemon Juice 1tsp Coriander leaves 1tsp chopped 1tbsp Tomato ketchup Salt and pepper to taste
Method: • Sprinkle 1/2tsp lemon juice over the cut fruits to avoid them from turning brown • Add in the ketchup and remaining lemon juice • Sprinkle the chaat masala salt and pepper over the fruits • Place the fruit mix in a salad bowl and garnish with coriander leaves. • Serve chilled.
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Another Booming Opportunity – Dubai winning Expo 2020 bid on 27th November 2013, will jump start wave of new development projects and boost economy. Dubai is on the cusp of yet another development boom as it seeks to strengthen its position as the leading business and tourism hub in the Middle East region. Winning the right to host the World Expo 2020, against contenders Sao Paulo (Brazil), Ekaterinburg (Russia) and Izmir (Turkey), UAE is going to see a plethora of benefits such as attracting greater investment, a boom in employment, infrastructure development and an increase in visitors leading up to and during the Expo. What made Dubai the true winner of the bid was its impressive track record in hosting major events, its perseverance during crises, building strong infrastructure, the right mind-certified security, incomparable safety and splendid mobility. Dubai’s bid to host the Expo will cost $8.7 billion in total $7.0 billion in investments and operating expenses of $1.7 billion. More than 277,000 jobs would be created between 2013 to 2020 as a result with about 40% in the travel and tourism sector. Capital expenditure will mainly cover the development of the Expo’s planned 4.4 sq.km plot in Jebel Ali and connecting infrastructure such as extending the Dubai’s Metro’s Red line. It is expected that Dubai Metro Purple line will be fast tracked for completion along with a host of other major projects. This would have a direct and positive impact on UAE’s employment numbers with additional work force needed for major construction projects while new companies would also be expected set up operation to serve other related Expo requirements. This would include development of real estate projects around Dubai World Central and expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport itself accelerating its use as a new passenger hub and acting as a further catalyst to develop the airport transport and cargo infrastructure – a key driver for the Emirates long term economic growth. Furthermore the importance of Jebel Ali port will also be increased tremendously with its strategic proximity to the new airport, the port will act as a key corridor for transfer of goods from sea to the expo site ultimately enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness as a global trade hub. The UAE has always given priority to business, highest standard of quality of services to people and fairness among the people of society. The UAE is diversifying in the non oil sectors and Expo 2020 will boost up certain sectors where UAE has established itself as a leader. The Expo will definitely boost tourism, hospitality. Construction, real estate and retail industry and demand for ancillary services like health and medical, insurance, restaurants and education to name a few will also boom. Some 25 million tourists nearly 70% of them international visitors, are expected during the six months of World Expo 2020. Lastly employment in all the sectors will be generated in multitude like a battalion of ants. In short the city is ready to welcome the world. Text extracted from Khaleej Times - 27-11-2013
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